Re: Six new locomotives for White Pass?

Sharrod Wrote:
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> I think the issue is also availability or in
> service time. Assuming with 6 engines only 1 needs
> to be out of service at a time, you have 5
> available for service. Are they powerful enough to
> handle a full train each? Then you potentially
> have 5 departures a day. Do they run more than 5
> departures a day?

Each unit will be able to haul a 16 car train.They will have 3,300 gross hp, but 2,900 traction hp, i believe.
I looked at their website, it says they have 9 daily summit departures and 2 daily Fraser departures (i'm not including the Carcross train, since I don't think the new locomotives will be used in that service). So that's 11 round trips per day. I know each consist does 2 round trips a day, so that would be 6 consists.

We also have to consider routine maintainence and inspections, so as you say 1 engine out of service at a time, they will be streching the fleet thin. Another point is expansion, do they want to add anymore departures, if needed?
My point is, I think more than six locos will be needed.