Re: Competition for Kyle's Kink (NNG)

K-27 Afficianado Wrote:
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> I wonder why in 90's and 80's, you never saw a
> diesel unit hooked up to the UP excursion trains.


844's 1989 journey to California (for the 50th Anniversary of LAUPT) and Oregon (for an excursion to Bend as a Symphony fundraiser) had a diesel for most of the trip - for extra power on steep grades, and for dynamic braking on downgrades.

And I'm sure you could find many other examples, especially in the 90s.

And 844's current trip isn't an "excursion" - it's a public relations event, and by all accounts it's been very successful so far. In this particular photo, the diesel isn't for extra power or braking - it's a ULEV "genset" in the consist to publicize UP's efforts to reduce emissions:

[www.uprr.com]

Quote

The Genset yard switcher reduces emissions of nitrous oxides by 80 percent and particulate matter by 90 percent, while using as much as 30 percent less fuel compared to current older switching locomotives. The fuel savings also translates into a 30 percent reduction of greenhouse gas.

JAC