Downhill "helpers"

In the 60's, the only period I'm familiar with, downhill "helpers" were used only between MP 443 and Gato. And while that was mostly downhill, it included some stretches of 1.42 percent uphill grades eastbound. That was always doubleheaded to my knowledge.

I am not aware of any situations were a loco would be placed mid-train or ahead of the caboose on a downhill stretch. My guess is that would not be safe practice.

While Chama to Durango was "mostly" downhill, there was a short stretch of uphill just west of Chama, and then it bottomed out at Arboles (MP 404) and from there to MP 443 there was good climb with quite a few miles of 1.42 percent grade before it dropped steeply (2 percent) into Durango.

JBW



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2007 01:13PM by John West.