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Re: Cajon Pass grade vs Horseshoe Curve grade
Author: "Set-out helpers
Date: 06-23-2017 - 12:23
On the NS (ex-Southern) grade from Old Fort to Asheville in western North Carolina, the NS has, at times used so-called "set-out" helpers.
These were a pair of engines left unmanned at the bottom of the grade at Old Fort. Trains heading uphill would stop at Old Fort, cut the engines off from the train, go into a short siding to pick up the helpers and would then couple back onto their train (with the helpers in MU between the road engines and the rest of the train).
Downhill trains would use helpers added at Asheville for braking, again with the unmanned helpers between the road engines and the train. The train would stop at Old Fort, set out the engines into a short double-ended siding, and then continue on.
The next uphill train that needed helpers would then again pick up the helpers for the trip uphill.
This worked fine during slow periods.
During busy times, I've also seen the NS use manned helpers at the rear of trains, which would then go uphill or downhill solo, as needed.
-- Ernest
These were a pair of engines left unmanned at the bottom of the grade at Old Fort. Trains heading uphill would stop at Old Fort, cut the engines off from the train, go into a short siding to pick up the helpers and would then couple back onto their train (with the helpers in MU between the road engines and the rest of the train).
Downhill trains would use helpers added at Asheville for braking, again with the unmanned helpers between the road engines and the train. The train would stop at Old Fort, set out the engines into a short double-ended siding, and then continue on.
The next uphill train that needed helpers would then again pick up the helpers for the trip uphill.
This worked fine during slow periods.
During busy times, I've also seen the NS use manned helpers at the rear of trains, which would then go uphill or downhill solo, as needed.
-- Ernest
