Great question! That is a unique squealing sound that comes out from under the wheels of the GE Locomotives. They have computerized traction control. They actually make better traction if the wheels slip ever so slightly. As the wheels slip just a tad, it creates heat and therefore more friction! More friction is more traction. When GE first came out with it, their Locomotives could generate 6000 horsepower. Unfortunately the locomotives could easily peel away the surface of the rail to achieve maximum traction. So in the long run they had to back off on the amount of traction until they stopped just tearing the rails down. They also found that they really had no way to put down more than about 4400 horsepower. So that has been where horsepower levels have stayed ever since! I think these were squealing so much due to the wet rail. The computer was slipping the wheels just enough to boil away the water! :-)
Wow! Two sets of helpers on the oil train! Fantastic find ! Great video. Absolutely love MRL and the mountain railroading . I get done with my financial obligations we are headed up there to watch the real thing in action too . In the meantime ... thanks for the great video !
Great video and sound coming though in house speakers has neighbours looking for hidden ghost train, also as retired throttle jockey the old compressor unload sound just highlights it
