CN 5347 Pulls A Track Evaulation Train West Through Plato Center, IL

[pwalpar]

excellent catch

[unionpacifictrain]

@pwalpar Thanks Walter!

[dwkcamman611]

Nice Catch!!!

[unionpacifictrain]

@dwkcamman611 Thanks!

[dcarpine28]

That is a really cool train!! Great Catch!

[unionpacifictrain]

@dcarpine28 Thanks Derek! It was awesoem to see it!

[dcarpine28]

@unionpacifictrain No Problem!! I bet it was ;)

[TheLondonRailfan]

Hey, nice! You caught the track evaluation (TEST) train! GREAT catch!

[unionpacifictrain]

@TheLondonRailfan Thank you very much!

[LocomotiveEngineer2]

@unionpacifictrain What's the 'authorized track speed' on that section of track? (From my calculations - 22 seconds for the 14(L) whistle - he is travelling approx. 40mph.)

By the way, I have operated the CP Track Evaluation Train.

[unionpacifictrain]

@LocomotiveEngineer2 You are correct, limit is 40-50, usually the trains on that line run about 40 MPH. They are running amtrak on this line around 2012 supposedly. That is awesome that you have ran it before! What do they exaclty do?

[LocomotiveEngineer2]

@unionpacifictrain TEC's utilize special instruments - located on the trucks - to essentially measure rough spots in the track (roadbed). They can also conduct a 'gauge stress measurement test' to determine the ability of the track to handle those forces exerted by equipment on the rail itself. TEC's are operated at time table freight train speed (on CP that is 'not exceeding 60 MPH') and are required to 'hold the main track'.

Train crews hate them because we always end up with 'Rule 43's'!

[unionpacifictrain]

@LocomotiveEngineer2 Oh, i guess there doing this to test because of amtrak's soon arrival on that line, thanks for the info!

[LocomotiveEngineer2]

@unionpacifictrain That would be a good possibility. You're welcome!

[basicbill1]

Excellent catch.

[unionpacifictrain]

@basicbill1 Thanks Bill!