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First Generation Power in 2007

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West Virginia owned and operated South Branch Valley RR. Coming out of a thunderstorm and heavy down-pour SBVR SD18 #182 leads this "Chicken Feed" train with SD9 #180, (Chessie Painted) GP9 #6240 and GP9 #92 on the head end. Pushing are 2 other GP9s and SD9 #181.
Very nice pic. Chicken feed must be pretty heavy if it takes 7 loco's to power 60-65 cars. Unless there are some steep grades on the SBVR.
 
Well it may seem like a lot of power by today's standards, but unfortunately these locos don't have more than about 1800 hp each (off the top of my head guess). Compare that to 3 newer GE Dash-9 locomotives of today and it is relatively close in terms of horsepower, but the tractive effort isn't comparable. Also, I am not sure what the max grades on the line are, but certainly not what you'd calll steep.
 
Great shot.  I love the wide angle with the storm in baclground. Grain trains (which is essentially what a "chicken feed" train is) can be very heavy. 
 
 

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