BNSF has been running a bunch of unit trains of canola meal from Canada to California. They are coming off the CN in Vancouver, BC, and are routed down the Oregon Trunk and Gateway Subs. I heard there was going to be seven trains operated, I have seen at least that many so far.
On the way south (at least coming through Bend, OR), they are running with power set up 3x2x2, and are running 100 cars (I'm guessing). These are quite long and heavy trains for the OT and Gateway Subs!
On the return trip north, they split the empties up into two groups of 50 cars and run with a pair of Dash-9's. Obviously the 50 car trains fit in virtually every siding on the OT and Gateway Subs, certainly easing the work of the dispatchers.
Wonder why the loaded trains aren't split up, too? Seems it would be easier handling two trains of 50 loads southbound, and then hooking all 100 empties together for the return trip.
On the way south (at least coming through Bend, OR), they are running with power set up 3x2x2, and are running 100 cars (I'm guessing). These are quite long and heavy trains for the OT and Gateway Subs!
On the return trip north, they split the empties up into two groups of 50 cars and run with a pair of Dash-9's. Obviously the 50 car trains fit in virtually every siding on the OT and Gateway Subs, certainly easing the work of the dispatchers.
Wonder why the loaded trains aren't split up, too? Seems it would be easier handling two trains of 50 loads southbound, and then hooking all 100 empties together for the return trip.
