Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad SD-38's at Hartstown Swamp

Two Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad SD-38's (878 & 867) running light - southbound at the Hartstown Swamp. November 13, 2008. I heard the airhorns in Albion Borough and realized it wasn't the usual SD-40's that the Bessemer has been running. Grabbing the camera, I gave chase -- only to be stopped in Springboro by a schoolbus. By the time I reached Conneautville, the train was well ahead of me. I managed to get ahead of them in Conneaut Lake, and finally beat them to the overpass at Hartstown. I don't _normally_ chase trains... :-)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Bessemer
• Lake
• Erie
• Railroad
• SD-38
• Hartstown

[BudmanPackfan]

@ajkopy you are right, they are coasting downgrade with the engines at idle speed. They are "helpers" that are returning to the bottom of the hill after pushing a heavy train to the top of the grade. Once the train is at the crest, the helpers cut off and return to the bottom to help the next heavy train up the hill.

[ajkopy]

I don't think you happened to notice that the two engines were not running at all, I bet they sped up, and then killed them to see how far they could coast.If you listen real good, I bet you would agree. No engine idle.no compressor sound ,no air spitting,all you hear is wheels riding the rails. Great catch !!!