BN B-30-7 in helper service. in Tales of the Jointed Track

I am called for a 1100 pm helper. I get to the 23rd Street roundhouse and look for the foreman. Roger Bell, is the foreman for the second shift. They are getting slammed now, because power from various trains have almost arrived at the same time. Most of this power needs fuel, sand, and a cab cleaning. The machinists and electricians, will perform the tasks required to turn them back out for service. Most of these are in and out and back on the road, pulling freight, because a call has been put out, for the power as soon as it has arrived.

“Rodger, what do you have for the 1100 pm helpers?” I saw nothing on the inside and outside sand tracks, when I pulled in to the parking lot. Some of the sets out ahead of me have been double shoving.

“Nothing right now”, was the reply. I look around, and all I can do is ask. The typical operation, is call the crews and worry about power later. The BN, gotta love ‘em, or not. I spy, one of our “dedicated” BN SD-40-2’s coupled to a BN (ex-Frisco) B-30-7. I ask Rodger about those two. “Can’t the B-30 goes tomorrow afternoon on a drag to Lincoln”. “That’s well over 14 hours away”. “Call Overland Park, (BN’s Power desk HQ) and ask ‘em. We’ll probably make one shove and its in the coal tracks now. Plus I bet we pick up the remaining helper sets, that are dead on hours of service and bring ‘em in. “Give me 30 minutes, we’ll see.”

I call the Conductor on the phone at the Roundhouse. “We don’t have power, may find out on 30 minutes”. “Okay, and they have no rides available to get crews off at this time”. “Great!!”

An ex Frisco, now BN B-30-7

I am here for twelve hours, anything less is gravy. Rodger spots me. “Bob, take those two,Overland Park had okay ed it”. “All right, I’ll hook ‘em up, gimme five minutes, to load up, and I’ll get the hoses cut in and the brake valves set up. “I’ll get you for an air test”. “Thanks, we’re swamped”.

The hoses from the outside in toward the coupler.. Independent Application and release (A&R) Actuation line, bail feature (ACT) Main Reservoir (MR) The hose just to the right is the train line or Brake pipe hose. The Jumper Cable is the drooping ones..the looked to be plugged into the “dummy” receptacles

The BN B-30 will be our lead unit back and our controlling unit up. That’s good, because on the hard pulls, it will go deep into the RED, but it has a throttle limit switch, which I can use, and keep the SD-40 at full 8. I’ll explain later.

A view of two units with the jumper cable connected. Along with the train-line and MU hoses.

You can see the Jumper Cable between the ditch lights and above the front coupler

I get them hooked up, call the Conductor with the lead unit, for track warrants, and look for Rodger. He’s found and we make an air test on the power. Shortly the Conductor shows up, as our load is easing into the depot. We chase ‘em down and couple in at 8th Avenue. A set and release, a signal at Kalamath Ave and we are on the way. Three hours later, but on the way.

Our consist for the helpers are a B-30-7 and an SD-40-2, 10 powered axles and 6000 hp total. The B-30 is a four axle the SD a six axle, but the B-30 will get into the RED, quicker than the SD-40-2. I will use the notch 7 limiter switch, and can control the amps on the B-30 and leave the SD in full 8 Throttle.

Going into the RED, a slang term for exceeding the continuous rating for the locomotive. A continuous rating is speed versus amperage. As you slow, amperage increases, and the rating is to allow proper cooling to the traction motors. Some units have a metal badge with the continuous and short time ratings. Some, especially on the newer power, the amp gauge is coded. You have a continuous rating, a 60 minute a 30 minute rating, a 15 minute rating, and a 5 minute rating.

Continuous = end of Green / start of Red zone: 1300 Amps = 100 %

60 minutes: 1340 Amps = 103 %

30 minutes: 1360 Amps = 104.6 %

15 minutes: 1400 Amps = 107.7 %

5 minutes: 1500 Amps = 115.4 %

The traction motors will begin to heat, because they cannot keep up with the power being fed to them and the slowing speed. Cooler weather can be a factor and allow you to exceed a bit.

Our B-30-7 will get into the RED at Sedalia, Orsa, north of Castle Rock at MP 30.4, Larkspur, Spruce, and the last two miles to Palmer Lake summit.

We are lined over the top. The DS calls and says pick up two helper sets at Palmer Lake House track on the northbound. Another set at Castle Rock. We grab ‘em all, and have 8 units into Denver. We arrive back at 900 am, and get instructions to come into the yard. The roundhouse is called, and informed of 8 units. “Fuel track 2, spot ‘em”. They will fuel, sand and inspect them. Our B-30-7 was serviced and cut off. It was added to the Extra East consist and made its way back on time. Another call, another run.

Last updated May 22, 2015