UP EC-4 Car in LA (1/20)

[MrUp8444]

(01-19-2012 10:04 PM)cabcar Wrote:  

(01-15-2012 06:08 AM)roee Wrote:  I know a bit off topic, but why is the EC-4 being pulled by a locomotive? That is a self propelled car? Did it break down, or is it a new union agreement that they can't run them self propelled like the FRA car?

For those interested:

EC-4 Car coming back to LA tomorrow ~

UP7464 WYRDRC 20 +1 flat car & EC-4 Car

Sched. Depart. YERMO CA 01/20 06:00
Sched. Arrival W/COLTON CA 01/20 12:00
Sched. Arrival DOWNEY ROAD CA 01/20 16:15

So, Does it go Back the Way it came? I wanna see it go by the Same Station Again.

[cabcar]

(01-19-2012 10:18 PM)MrUp8444 Wrote:  So, Does it go Back the Way it came? I wanna see it go by the Same Station Again.

It'll be running down Cajon, then onto the Los Angeles Sub at Pomona on it's way to Downey Rd. (East LA)

Updated ETA's:
Departed Yermo @ 9:15am

ETA West Colton @ 3:15pm
ETA Industry @ 6:45pm
ETA Downey Rd. @ 7:30pm

--Robert

[woody709acy]

Into Pomona at 2:58. Was asking for time at Roselawn.

Is zooming a DSLR on the banned 'distracted driving devices' list?

Steve

[Axy_Dent]

There are a number of reasons why the EC cars are being towed. When pulled by a locomotive it becomes a train by definition as opposed to on track equipment. This narrows down delay time to other trains & gives dispatchers lots of flexibility.

When an EC car runs under its own power where CTC is in effect it may operate as outlined in CTC rules with some exceptions. One of those exceptions is no following moves (trains) between control points.

Example in CTC with no engine:
If an EC car gets a signal at CP Anna with 5 intermediate signals between CP Anna and CP Bess, the dispatcher is still not allowed to line a train behind the EC car until after it completely passes CP Bess. It may be 12 miles between CP Anna and CP Bess which limits the flexibility in dispatching causing delay to subsequent trains traveling in the same direction.

With an engine the above requirements do not apply.

In TWC or 9.14 (current of traffic) the appropriate authority must be issued to provide protection to the EC car when solo and do not run on signals or verbal authority as defined by the rule. Adding the locomotive when operating on the point provides ample shunting to provide block signal protection (except in TWC dark territory). This gives the dispatching staff a lot more flexibility in 9.14 and TWC.

When FRA self propelled EC cars make their rounds the game plan changes a whole lot more (not going there).

Axy

[Snuffy]

EC-4 is heading to WC today from LA. ETD ELA @ 6:30AM 1/21/11.

[TC Smith]

(01-19-2012 10:07 PM)Amtrak/Santa Fe Boy Wrote:  what's with the flat?

Adds to the axle count, same reason the DOT/FRA car had 3 locos on it. Signal activation and all that.


TCS - alcoa bound

[cabcar]

While out and about yesterday morning, I ran into the EC-4 tied down at the Ice Deck in Colton with the clean 7464 on point:

--Robert