Canadian Pacific 8724 (GE ES44AC) is in the middle of a stalled train in Coldwater Ontario. The reason for the stall was that parking brake was left on. most likely caught by the hotbox detector.
Diesel locomotives are usually left running for extended periods, to avoid the cold start up process. Ages ago, at the UPRR our switch engines ran continuously for a month, then went into the MP&M shop for refresh. Of course, the UP owned Richfield oil company with fields in LA and a refinery nearby, and a pipeline carrying diesel direct to East Yards, virtually tax free. Sweetheart deal.
@@Philios2Glory1 *Once read how the old cabooses had handles inside, because slack catching up could knock over a cup of coffee as well as knock out a couple of teeth! LOL*
So if the reason for the stall was the parking brake, then why did they need to bring the DPU online as well? They made it that far without it, and WITH the parking brake engaged…
The locomotives have an auto "start/stop" system that shut the down after idling 5 minutes to conseve fuel. It's a real pain when waiting to meet a train and you want the AC on. Also a hand brake being on would not cause a stall but would cause damage to the equipment, thats why the crew stopped. We had to do this yesterday on a rail car that was 109 cars back from the head end.
It helps to supply power and braking air pressure further down the train instead of having the lead locomotives alone for the breaking air pressure as it takes a long time to travel the length of the train
