Grank Elk Grand Rapids Yard

MQT1223 · Unread post by **MQT1223** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 1:17 pm

TrainWatcher wrote:Why such a small table though? I mean I know even by today's standards (an SD40-2 is 68'~) that seems tight.

I agree. Was it maybe for cab units that could not operate in a backwards fashion or did the NYC have a signal system that would involve running say a GP9 in the long hood forward position? Because other then that I don't see why the turntable should exist anyway.

Saturnalia · Unread post by **Saturnalia** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 1:25 pm

MQT1223 wrote:
TrainWatcher wrote:Why such a small table though? I mean I know even by today's standards (an SD40-2 is 68'~) that seems tight.
I agree. Was it maybe for cab units that could not operate in a backwards fashion or did the NYC have a signal system that would involve running say a GP9 in the long hood forward position? Because other then that I don't see why the turntable should exist anyway.

Well, with no wye, where are you gonna turn your power? Sometimes, like when a certain unit can't lead, you've gotta turn the power. CSX does it several dozen times each year on the Sunnyside Wye

CAT345C · Unread post by **CAT345C** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:32 pm

Do turn tables fall under the new FRA bridge inspection standards? If so I feel like just bolting them in place wounding bypass the fact that it's technically a bridge.

Raildudes dad · Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:40 pm

In 1957, locomotives were 55 feet long and cars 40 feet. 75 foot turntable was plenty long enough. The turn table has been bolted many years long before the new bridge inspection regs. That SD40 will fit on it just fine

MQT1223 · Unread post by **MQT1223** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 11:27 am

MQT3001 wrote:
MQT1223 wrote:
TrainWatcher wrote:Why such a small table though? I mean I know even by today's standards (an SD40-2 is 68'~) that seems tight.
I agree. Was it maybe for cab units that could not operate in a backwards fashion or did the NYC have a signal system that would involve running say a GP9 in the long hood forward position? Because other then that I don't see why the turntable should exist anyway.
Well, with no wye, where are you gonna turn your power? Sometimes, like when a certain unit can't lead, you've gotta turn the power. CSX does it several dozen times each year on the Sunnyside Wye

I know this but why didn't the old NYC just get permission to use the Sunnyside Wye? Was it harder to use back then? More traffic maybe? The

Saturnalia · Unread post by **Saturnalia** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:12 pm

MQT1223 wrote:I know this but why didn't the old NYC just get permission to use the Sunnyside Wye? Was it harder to use back then? More traffic maybe? The

Well at this time Union Station was still a thing, or at least trackage up to there and the west side, crossing the CSX at a diamond (was there even a connector at Pleasant Yet?). At the time, there was no reason to clog up downtown just to wye power. C&O had their turntable at Wyoming plus the de facto wye (Roundhouse lead, Cinder Pit, Back Lead, Old Even Lead), so they could wye power there. They use the downtown wye cause they don't really get in anyone's way and it isn't hand-throw like the yard wye...and you don't have to get permission from the Roundhouse guys.

Of course today there isn't a need for a table on the GDLK. It is either one-engine locals or multi-unit road trains where there is almost always one unit facing east direction. Bolt and forget.

amtrak1007 · Unread post by **amtrak1007** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:23 pm

The east leg of the sunnyside wye didn't exist until the 1980's track re-alignment...

FWIW...

Saturnalia · Unread post by **Saturnalia** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:42 pm

amtrak1007 wrote:The east leg of the sunnyside wye didn't exist until the 1980's track re-alignment...

FWIW...

You mean when the West Side was consolidated?

Doktor No wrote:DeFacto wye went thru the roundhouse and onto the turntable. THAT was the wye. The one that exisits now didn't exist then. The turntable did though.

True...of course the table functioned. Also before then there were tracks that ran south from the table towards Plaster Creek...Wyes there, too, though I'm not sure if they were ever used as such...

amtrak1007 · Unread post by **amtrak1007** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:06 pm

MQT3001 wrote:
amtrak1007 wrote:The east leg of the sunnyside wye didn't exist until the 1980's track re-alignment...

FWIW...
You mean when the West Side was consolidated?

Sure potatoes potaatos... same thing...

Saturnalia · Unread post by **Saturnalia** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:07 pm

amtrak1007 wrote:
MQT3001 wrote:
amtrak1007 wrote:The east leg of the sunnyside wye didn't exist until the 1980's track re-alignment...
FWIW...
You mean when the West Side was consolidated?
Sure potatoes potaatos... same thing...

Gotcha...just making sure

KC · Unread post by KC » Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:03 am

This is the GRLK turntable at Hughart Yard, taken 1 July 2010.

Kelly

Super Chief · Unread post by **Super Chief** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 1:08 pm

So if the circus train is there and the power ran up there elephant style northbound how do they turn the power now to run southbound tomorrow? Just curious as they have run the power that way last 3 years.

SD80MAC · Unread post by **SD80MAC** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:17 pm

Super Chief wrote:So if the circus train is there and the power ran up there elephant style northbound how do they turn the power now to run southbound tomorrow? Just curious as they have run the power that way last 3 years.

They'll use the CSX wye at Sunnyside.

GAP · Unread post by **GAP** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:48 am

Caught the circus train southbound thru Portage this morning at 10:10. The engines were long hood forward with the NS leading. Must have been a frustrating trip as those hoods are really long.

amtrak1007 · Unread post by **amtrak1007** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:54 am

GAP wrote:Caught the circus train southbound thru Portage this morning at 10:10. The engines were long hood forward with the NS leading. Must have been a frustrating trip as those hoods are really long.

Just as god almighty had intended. LHF!!!

trnwatcher · Unread post by **trnwatcher** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 3:20 pm

When it was Conrail they knew enough to send 2 locos tail to tail. Most than once I would see a pair of SD60M's sitting at 44th St getting an air test when I was working 2nd shift back in the 90's. Those where the days. Long Live Big Blue!

Saturnalia · Unread post by **Saturnalia** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 3:29 pm

Well I'm guessing BNSF set the power up, plus they have to switch the train around in Elkhart so both the units will face the right way after Elkhart

CSX_CO · Unread post by **CSX_CO** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:02 pm

MQT3001 wrote:Well I'm guessing BNSF set the power up, plus they have to switch the train around in Elkhart so both the units will face the right way after Elkhart

Only sat there all weekend. Guess no opportunity to spin one of them...

Practice Safe CSX

Super Chief · Unread post by **Super Chief** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:24 pm

Must be the 4 bucks was the icing on the cake. Now will see as the turntable turn?

J T · Unread post by **J T** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:29 pm

GAP wrote:Caught the circus train southbound thru Portage this morning at 10:10. The engines were long hood forward with the NS leading. Must have been a frustrating trip as those hoods are really long.

CSX wouldn't let them use the wye?

amtrak1007 wrote:Just as god almighty had intended. LHF!!!

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