SP5103 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looks like the remains of at least one, more
> likely two Brandt hirail trucks were the power for
> the rail train. This wouldn't be unexpected
> because it has become common practice to avoid
> using conventional work trains presumably due to
> labor and loco costs.

Wrong.

In this case, it was a Brandt RUM unit on one end of a rail train with a normal BNSF crew and engines on the other end of the rail train. Brandt trucks are in no way (as has been explained to me and what makes sense) able to move a rail train. Way too heavy. The RUM unit is there to lay the rail off the rail train next to the tracks. The BNSF crew and engines provide the power to move the rail train. A Brandt RUM is designed to be way safer than the old home built railroad cars used to load and unload rail from a rail train.