My first NS ACE and a few thoughts about DP trains

[E.M. Bell]

Being the EMD fan that I am, I have been waiting for the chance to see one of the new 1000's up close. All the new coal traffic here in KY  finally gave me the chance a couple of weekends ago.

Carm and I where out running around shooting close to home when I heard a NS 1005 giving a 3 step in Danville, and we quickly made our way to Harrodsburg to catch them. We followed him West almost to Louisville, and bagged a few shots. I must say they are impressive looking and sounding. I have grown to like the look of the newer GE 8000's (did I really just say that in public??), but the SD70Ace's are just as good. Its good to see EMD back in the game again, and hopefully these new one will have a better track record than the last few models.

As a side note, all these new coal trains are all running DP now, along with a few other intermodals. These are the first DP trains we have had on Louisville District, and the extra power on the bottom really does seem to help  The Louisville side is known for being a slow RR with lots of steep pulls and sharp curves.  Just about everything moves slow and the heavy ones really drag down on some of the hills. The few DP coal trains I have chased really get over the road (even the loaded ones) in comparison to the others.  We chased a loaded 792 awhile back (120 loads running 2x1), and he came over the top of Waddy hill faster than anything I have ever saw..right at track speed of 30. Most trains are down to 10 or 15 there. Its a challenge to keep up with these things sometimes, which is not usually the case! Does the "split" of power in the train really make that much of a difference in the speed and train handling??

Here are a few of my favorites, and be sure to check this link for all of my new Louisville District stuff from this year so far.  

http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/louisvilledistrict2012_eb

NS 1005 leads train 793 past the headstones in Hogtown (Harrodsburg KY)


NS 1005 again, crossing the bridge at Shelbyville. Caleb was down there somewhere getting his shots (which I am sure he will be sharing with us)


NS 8056, DPU on train 793 at Shelbyville


NS 052 with a DODX move in heavy snow at Harrodsburg Ky 01/14/12


NS 285 at the West end of the siding, Talmage KY 01/15/12


The rear end of 285 rolling through the big swag at Convoy KY