Why 3 engines ?

[Cardinal51]

Now why would this train have 3 engines ?

cgjdghj.jpg

Just show, or . . . . ?

[PapaXpress]

It could be a power move.

[wackyhuman]

Sometimes engines need to be brought (back) to another location as they are needed there. No need to drive them there if another train is going there already, just add them to the consist.

[Cardinal51]

Would the 2 additional trains be "put in neutral" and be without a driver/engineer ?

[Chessie8638]

Would be two locomotives running pulling the train and the third would be running but isolated (not providing traction to pull the train).

[Cardinal51]

Why 2 running, isn't 1 enough ? Or would 2 result in a higher combined efficiency ?

My latest (and first) Amtrak trip had a consist of:

Consist.JPG

1 x Heritage fleet baggage car
1 x Viewliner sleeping car
1 x Diner-lounge car
3 x Amfleet II long-distance coach
1 x Chapel Hill private car

All these single level cars pulled by by one Genesis

[Chessie8638]

Normally long distance trains have 2 locomotives for power and just in case one breaks down. The second can limp the train into the nearest station.

Also the number of cars, grades encountered, and speeds that have to maintained to keep to schedule have to be kept in mind.

Another thing is the H.E.P. (Head End Power [Hotel Power]) from one locomotive can only supply a total of 8 passenger cars. Anymore and you need a second locomotive. Even if it's only one car over the max of 8.

[up_8677]

If power is being forwarded to another location it often is "Dead in Consist". Which means it is basically a 400,000lb car with slightly more rolling resistance than normal due to the traction motors.

[ATSF3814]

They could also be taking one or more of the locomotives to a shop for servicing.

I've seen several other examples of apparently overpowered trains:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTLBCEBTV3M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGjkU8DmYAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLcsaHteHhk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UpWe9dIwEg

[Cardinal51]

Thanks guys, very interesting info and movies

one locomotive can only supply a total of 8 passenger cars

Does it matter whether those are single- or bi-level ?

[Chessie8638]

I believe it doesn't matter if they are Superliners or Amfleets.

[Cardinal51]

In the first image in this thread I think I see 6 superliners.