Deciding power for a train

[Ns Railfan]

How does NS deciede the power their trains? For instance no.229 originates from Cinncinatti Ohio how does it's power get selected since it is not a run through train from somewhere else.

JLG

[Michael Knight]

Locomtive power balancing involves many employees to properly execute. Decisions are primarily made by the control center in Atlanta and divisional management. 

[Chris7092]

Other considerations are horsepower requirements and how much fuel the locomotive has.  At my job over the summer, locomotive assignments for certain trains would be largely dependent upon how much fuel the locomotive has, since the facility where I worked had no fuel pads.  Also, many units end up running back and forth over a route a few times, so considerations must be made regarding the unit's return trip.

As said above, coordinating locomotive assignments is the responsibility of many people both in Atlanta and those located in various division offices.

Chris
K8CRQ

[E.M. Bell]

They also have to decided what to use according to what the company specifies for each train type. Intermodals may need 2.5hp per ton, unit trains less ect.  Tons per operative dynamic brake also comes into play on certain heavy grade districts.

You would figure that the new power would go to the hot trains, but in most cases, if it runs, it can show up about anywhere. I have seen ragged out CR SD50's leading 229, and a pair of brand new Gevos on a low priority grain train a hour later. Southern used to have a "rule" that only certain power groups would work together (ie..not mixing Geeps and SD's together on certain trains) but I dont know how close that was followed. I had heard that NS was doing something similar a while back.   

Now to throw another kink into things, nowdays, just because a unit has Six axles doesnt mean it is counted as a Six axle unit. Newer high adhesion power may count as more powered axles that what is on the locomotive, and that takes effect when you plan power for a train. There are a lot of train handling rules concerning how many powered axles can be used for certain trains in certain places. Im sure it can get rather confusing..

[Michael Knight]

Now to throw another kink into things, nowdays, just because a unit has Six axles doesn't mean it is counted as a Six axle unit. Newer high adhesion power may count as more powered axles that what is on the locomotive, and that takes effect when you plan power for a train. There are a lot of train handling rules concerning how many powered axles can be used for certain trains in certain places. Im sure it can get rather confusing..

An excellent point, Emmett. Each axle of an locomotive- on both four and six axle units- that is  considered a high adhesion type is the equivalent of 1.33 conventional axles in power. This means that a Dash 8, 9, or a SD70, for example, is the equivalent of eight conventional axles. While a standard six axle unit, such as a SD40-2, has six true conventional axles.

[Railroad80]

L-207.  Locomotive Axle Limits under Power
[1] Except on designated trains, no more than the equivalent of 24 powered axles may be operated under power on the head end of trains.
[2] High Adhesion axles are equivalent to 1 and 1/3 conventional (non-high adhesion) axles.
[3] Alternating Current (AC)  traction motor-equipped axles are equivalent to 1 and 1/2 conventional (non-high adhesion) axles.
NOTE: Locomotive Models SD70MAC, SD80MAC, SD90MAC, CW44AC, CW60AC are equipped with AC traction motors.
[4] When using the Maximum number of powered axles, the throttle should be increased gradually to avoid the development of excessive tractive effort at slow speed. Extreme Care must be exercised while starting to prevent train separation and derailment.

Locomotive                                         Equivalent                                             Locomotive
Consist                                               to conventional                                        consist
(Asterisk denotes                           powered axles                                        compliance
High Adhesion)                                                                                                    with  L-207

3 *D9-40CW                                               24                                                            yes
2 *SD60's +1 GP38                                   20                                                            yes
1 SD40 + 1*SD60 +1GP50                    19                                                             yes
3 *GP50's + 1 GP38                                  20                                                            yes
2 *SD60's + 1 GP 50                                 21                                                            yes
4 GP38's + 1 *GP50                                   21                                                            yes
2 *C39-8's + 1 SD40                                 22                                                           yes
2 ** CW44AC's + 1 *SD60                      26                                                             no
2 ** SD80MAC + 1 *D9-40CW             26                                                             no

Single Asterisk denotes high adhesion; Double asterisk denoted AC.

[5] Loaded Grain trains not exceeding 100 cars are authorized to use FOUR high adhesion six axle units (32 powered axles) on line.
NOTE: Above listed trains will be governed by Rule L-210, Rules for equipment operation and handling, When operating in Dynamic Brake. In addition, Rule L-242 still applies as well as any established local restriction.


There it is guys straight from the ole NS1 Rule book.

Randy

[Batman]

on the 9th floor of the NS operations center in Atlanta , there is a room called THE CAGE  ,  it is a rectangle room where  all motive power is controlled on the NS system.   I have been there and it is wild .  Guys on the computer`s and phone`s constantly telling the shop personal  which locomotives to swap out along the lines.