Glen and everyone,
The U25B's were allowed to run west of Sheridan for the 50 miles to Lodge
Grass and their higher horsepower could be used both ways over Parkman Hill
but they could not run north of Lodge Grass. I don't think the ban on U25B's
north of Lodge Grass was very longed lived. Since the SD-9's had been the
dominant power on this part of the 'Q' for quite a few years, after the
4-unit sets of F-3's had gone back east, and the fact that the SD-9's were
easy on the rail, upgrading the line had not become a priority. The advent
of 'second generation' power with heavier axle loadings etc changed the
situation and the 'Q' made necessary upgrades to the line. Although the
U25B, GP-20, GP-30, GP-35 & GP-40's would make occasional appearances on
the Casper and Sheridan Divisions, it was the SD-7/9 & U25/28C that called
this part of the system 'home'. GP-7/9's were almost nonexistent on these
Divisions since they didn't have Dynamic Brakes.
John Olson
Billings, Mt.
> From: "zephyr98072" <glenehaug@m...>
> Reply-To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 07:41:12 -0000
> To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [BRHSlist] Re: U25B's
>
> It seems odd to me that the U-25B's were not allowed west of
> Sheridan, but I won't dispute it. The U-25B's were heavier than the
> previous four axle power, but not by much.
>
> If they were not allowed all the way to Laurel, however, it was
> probably due to rail size and not deferred maintenance. This line
> was in decent enough shape for the limited traffic that it handled,
> but there was still a lot of 90# bolted rail in at least two long
> stretches between Sheridan and Huntley. The speed of six axle
> freight locomotives was reduced on the 90# rail.
>
> Of course, no one contemplated what would happen to this railroad in
> the next few years. The unit coal trains tore the 90# and 112#
> bolted and burnt shale ballast up in a hurry.
>
> Glen Haug
>
>
>
>
>
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