AmeenTrainGuy posted:Hot Water posted:AGHRMatt posted:The diesels aren't necessarily for assistance. Out here, they're very handy for dynamic braking going through the Cajon pass. Also, when 3751 makes a run, the diesels are handy for HEP for the passenger cars.
Which diesels? Non of the BNSF diesel are equipped for HEP. Amtrak diesel do also supply HEP.
UP handles that aspect with a generator car.
Correct, but since 2011 the steam crew have been using more and more diesel "help", and NOT just for dynamic brake.
Could you elaborate more on "... and NOT just for dynamic brake."? What I don't get is how did the bigboy's stop long trains without dynamic braking but cannot stop 5 - 10 passenger cars?
You are losing sight of the fact that more than 70 than 70 years ago, all they had were train air brakes. Thus, all trains, both freight and passenger used nothing but the brake shoes, which were cast iron at the time, to slow and stop trains. In the modern era with steam specials/excursions the use of a diesel helper in dynamic braking on long down grades, is highly beneficial, plus saves the disc brake pads on the passenger cars. With that diesel "helper" MU'ed with the steam locomotive, it also can be used in power to stretch water & fuel usage on the steam locomotive. Maybe the steam locomotive is very capable of "pulling the train up the grade all by herself", but at reduced speed, to what point? Why beat the crap out of the poor steam locomotive for absolutely NO REASON, when just a bit of "help" from the diesel will maintain a higher speed and conserve fuel & water on the steam locomotive.
