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Re: SP power on the point of the starlight
Author: Craig Tambo
Date: 01-11-2013 - 20:28
A couple of things come to mind--
Back in the 80s/early 90s, there was very little spare Amtrak power out west. Power in Oakland (for example) was all Chicago-based, even for the San Joaquins. If you needed a spare unit in a hurry, you could snag one off the Zephyr and replace it with a freight unit; if the Zephyr had already departed, you were pretty much out of luck. I don't know the motive power particulars for Los Angeles or Seattle back then, but it could have been similar.
Also (if memory serves), I believe the SP used to require an additional unit if the train exceeded a certain number of cars in mountainous territory. This might be due to deadhead cars or private/business cars, or an enlarged consist for other reasons. This might be more like what you're referring to.
Back in the 80s/early 90s, there was very little spare Amtrak power out west. Power in Oakland (for example) was all Chicago-based, even for the San Joaquins. If you needed a spare unit in a hurry, you could snag one off the Zephyr and replace it with a freight unit; if the Zephyr had already departed, you were pretty much out of luck. I don't know the motive power particulars for Los Angeles or Seattle back then, but it could have been similar.
Also (if memory serves), I believe the SP used to require an additional unit if the train exceeded a certain number of cars in mountainous territory. This might be due to deadhead cars or private/business cars, or an enlarged consist for other reasons. This might be more like what you're referring to.
