Get A Load Of This Coal Train

I arrived at Charles Ave just west of Mechanicsville Iowa and noticed the crossover was lined. I checked the outer opposing signal and sure enough it was a diverging clear.
Coal trains are commonly 125 cars and the tonnage around 18,000 tons.
2 and 1 set up with UP engines
8084
7039
8031 Remote
#railfan #locomotive #railway #train #railroad

[@backalleyrailroading2835]

Union Pacific keeping the lights on somewhere… Great stuff !!

[@LanternSignals]

@@backalleyrailroading2835 that’s right!!

[@FreightTrainDrifter]

Nice catch of the loaded down coal!! 👊🏼🤠

[@LanternSignals]

Been a while since I’ve caught a coal train.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

That was cool! (Dave).

[@LanternSignals]

Thank you. I was curious as to how fast they can go through the crossover.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@LanternSignals your welcome and yes indeed.

[@oldman-zr2ru]

I'm sorry, I didn't notice anything weird about it except there was only one remote engine at the back and no helpers in the middle. It seemed a little short too, for a coal train anyway.

[@LanternSignals]

@@oldman-zr2ru I didn’t count the number of cars. On average coal trains are about 125 cars and 18,000 tons running 2 by 1. When the grade increases power is added. I’ve run 135 car coal that was 2 by 2 by 2.

[@woxyroxme]

Big load of EV fuel

[@LanternSignals]

@@woxyroxme lol