NS 242 rushes through Pacolet, SC at track speed with a BNSF D9W leader and a killer K3LA!!!

Recorded 6/15/2024 at 9:51 am. Words cannot describe how much I was foaming on the inside… Foreign power does indeed bring the track speed! It’s just been far too long since I’ve seen a train at track speed through here. Going forward, foreign power is truly where it’s at on NS! I love that I also got the engineer who gives nice & long horn blows too. That K3LA was splendid. Also, note how the older crossing signals that used to be here are now sadly replaced with modern ones. It was nice hearing those old bells ring. I just take track speed so seriously because ever since the new regime of management came in after CEO Wick Mooreman stepped down, train velocity just decreased altogether up here. Slowly over time train speed started decreasing on the W-Line, then eventually it happened on the mainline like it has today... Auto Control (GE's) and Energy Management (EMD's) began running the show. To save every penny on fuel, management wants the computer to run the train. It's absurd. If freight is moved and sorted fast, then that money spent on fuel and infrastructure will be made back in no time! It's quite easy to understand but remember that current management on these Class 1's is made up of mostly Wall Street people. They are NOT railroaders! They only care for the short-term stock price for shareholders. With all that said, I hope you all enjoy the video! Feel free to comment, like, and/or subscribe!
-NS 242-14 Mixed Manifest/Intermodal Combo (minus the intermodal)
-Atlanta, GA - Charleston, SC
-Locomotives:
BNSF #5330 D9-44CW
NS #4234 AC44C6M
-41 cars
-NS Coastal Division/Columbia District/W-Line
-MP W78.9

[@joshpack7330]

Awesome catch! I'm really shocked of how much BNSF power that's been on the W recently! Its nice to see the BNSF Dash 9s rather than those GEVOs. The speed almost reminded me of your catch of 20D with 1012 leading.

[@anscrailfanner6812]

Thanks for watching Josh. The dash 9W’s I do greatly prefer seeing over the GEVOS. All I really want additionally now is a longer 242 to hear those locomotives working.