NS 154 (BIRMINGHAM, AL - LINWOOD, NC) departed NS Norris Yard Wednesday evening with the Reading Heritage Unit 1067 in the lead and the CP 8514 second out. The train also included a pair of mid-train helpers the NS 7519 & 7687. The train was by CP Embry at the MP 756 around 4:00am eastern Thursday morning. By 8am eastern they were rolling through downtown Villa Rica, Georgia. The train rolled into the Carroll/Winston siding as their relief crew was already there. After a crew swap the train proceeded east setting out two cars in Douglasville and then headed east toward Atlanta.
NS 154 heads east on the Alabama Div. East End District at MP 659
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/NSSpike/Rail%20Photos%20NS%20154%20IMG_8460%20RZ_zpsokscc7db.jpg)
After setting out two cars the 1067 heads back out onto the mainline just east of downtown Douglasville Ga.
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/NSSpike/Rail%20Photos%20NS%20154%20IMG_8475%20RZ_zpsi4mbra5w.jpg)
NS 154 with two Mid-Train helpers. It appeared that only one of these units was on-line.
(http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r630/NSSpike/Rail%20Photos%20NS%20154%20IMG_8487%20RZ_zpshcamtppp.jpg)
NSSpike
Villa Rica Ga.
Why mid train power? I see it as cutting on train crews.