A slide showed up on eBay that got me to thinking about a past discussion. The slide is of a single BN-CB&Q U28C (probably number 5656 since 5456 is an ex-Q U28B) with a long train, probably about 80-90 cars, just north of Savanna, IL headed toward Mpls-StP. Here is the slide:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Slide-CB-amp-Q-Burlington-5456-GE-U25C-Action-at-Savanna-IL-1971-/373243671734?nma=true&si=0phcaohxUek8u0A9lFIB7Lu9CKg%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557Note that the train starts with a long string of boxcars. It looks like most of the train is boxcars. The fact it has only one unit makes me think this is mainly empty boxcars returning to the Pacific NW. Interestingly, according to the CB&Q Operating Data Sheets, a single U28C was rated for 4196 to 4704 tons on the line from Chicago to StP via the C&I. So if most of the 90 cars were empty, at around 25-30 tons per empty boxcars, this train of 80-90 cars could definitely be handled by a single U28C.
In a previous discussion some time back mention was made of returning all the empty GN, NP, and SP&S boxcars that had gone east via the Q through Chicago back to home rails. I believe it was said that these would accumulate in Chicago and be taken back west via an extra made up of primarily empty boxcars. I also believe it was said that it wasn't unusual to use a single unit for the move. So this seems to be an example of this post-BN merger.
I want to model a similar train on my layout, so I was looking for more info on these empty boxcar moves back west. If they used a single unit, did the go around the horn via Mendota and Denrock? I seem to remember something being said about going around the horn if the train had a single locomotive so it would not tie up the single track main should the locomotive have a breakdown. The rating for a U28C from Mendota to Denrock, however, was only 3542 tons, which is still a pretty good string of empty boxcars.
I'm also wondering what types of locomotives might be used. The U28C clearly could handle the tonnage, and with six GE 752 traction motors would definitely develop the tractive effort needed. HP is speed, not pulling power. For example, a 3,000 HP GP40 or U28B was only rated for 2404 tons between Aurora and Savanna, while a lower horsepower GP30, GP35, or U28B was rated fro 2604 tons. It would seem to me that for the longest empty trains a six-axle locomotive would definitely be the preferred power. On the Aurora to Savanna line an SD7 was rated for 3570 tons, an SD9 for 3872 tons, an SD24 for 3202 tons, a U25C for 4539 tons, and a U28C for 4196 tons. Anyone recall what power was used in the mid- to late-1960's on single unit empty boxcar westbounds?
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Tom Mack
Cincinnati, OH