BNSF Stalls at Tehachapi Loop 11/13/11

[peckerneck79]

.....about 390,000 lbs of pull before they break. Knuckles are designed to be the weak link by breaking to prevent string-lining derailments. Sorry for the long response. Just bored in a hotel.

[biggie643]

its fine, i actually never heard of that before

[peckerneck79]

... if the same grade continues for a long period of time, the cycle may repeat itself. I am positive these locomotives were derating, as a single 6 axle modern locomotive can easily put out over 100,000 lbs of tractive effort in run8 at speeds just above 10mph. 4 locomotives would be putting out well over 400,000lbs of TE at this speed if they were not de-rating. This would have easily ripped the lead drawbar/knuckle off the train as they are only good for.....

[peckerneck79]

....and lower power output are still not enough to keep the temperatures from rising and there will be a point where the train will stall out. Once stalled and the brakes set to keep from rolling backwards and the throttle in idle, the cooling systems can catch back up and bring the temps back under control. This is usually after 10-20 minutes....at which point the train can be started fresh and take right off up the hill....

[peckerneck79]

Ok....here is my take, and I have first hand experience with this (BNSF Engineer). When climbing any grade that has the locomotives in Run8 for long periods of time at very slow speeds, the traction motors and diesel engines themselves get to a point where the cooling systems can not keep up. When this happens, the computer will start to de-rate (lower the power/energy output) of the locomotive. Often, there is a point of no return where even the slower speed.....

[totallygonegearhead2]

Ribbon-rail train had priority?

[Ohiorailfan]

there's your problem, darn NS is helping.

[biggie643]

hahaha

[gviper7]

for a stalled train it sure stopped and started on a grade okay. Wonder if it ran out of sand or the locomotives had to be spanked or given a pep talk!

[biggie643]

@gviper7 probably

[Rocketboy1950]

Stall, you want stall (the regular beginning goes here ) com/watch?v=OBvfJvFVE-Y

[lotsoftrains123]

moral of the story... always have DPU's and never go under track speed on Tehachapi Loop

[biggie643]

@lotsoftrains123 Right, this train never went above 15 mph ever since it hit caliente

[lailasalas]

@lotsoftrains123 I agree the train must had coupled middle and rear locomotives to help pushing. What about if cars could had uncoupled and caused a severe tragedy?

[BaronvonBavert]

great video!!!

[Cornelu]

Great catch!