Marty Bernard Wrote:
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> I too have wondered about 2 big diesels on a small
> train which one smaller geep could handle.

The Roseville Service Unit typically assigns six-axle power to mainline locals and haulers unless the train will be operating on track that's restried to four-axle units.

Two units are assigned since there is no way offical way for UP to turn a locomotive in Portola, most "Super Cab" units are not equipped with rear ditch lights, and are difficult to operate long-hood forward for extended distances. Rules are in effect regarding shutting down or isolating unneeded trailing units; Omaha can monitor this by satellite, and an engineer caught in violation can get dinged for it.

Four-axle units above 2500 horsepower could be used, but the RVSU always has a shortage of four-axle power, and they need to be concentrated on jobs that can't use six-axle units. Four-axle units below 2500 horsepower are supposed to move in a locomotive consist either dead (preferred choice) or isolated on idle. The four-axle shortage ebbs and flows, but is more pronounced now that the use of switchers is very rare. Plus, UP turned back to Helm the GP38-2 and GP38-3 rebuilds in the 2500 and 2400 series (many were renumbered into the 1000 and 900 series) at the expiration of their lease in 2008-2009, although some have been leased back under HLCX reporting marks. There are also some LLPX GP38-2 leasers around.