| Autorack train Q216-02 going east on Track 2 Main near the South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club. It had just finshed its work in the CSX yard. The power is CSX 7345 (C40-8W), HLCX 7192 (SD40-2), and CSX 8068 (SD40-2). CSX 7345 is former Conrail 6161 built in February 1993. Not long after this the 9000 foot long autorack train would come to a stop at the Bluestone signal in order to wait for the conductor to be brought out. That is when the troubles started. CSX 7345 had a major air leak inside the cab on the engineers side, causing the brakes to not release on the engine. After 2 1/2 hours of talking to the CSX Mechanical Desk in Jacksonville, CSX BB dispatcher in Baltimore, and the Connellsville Yardmaster, a resolution was finally worked out. The locomotive was deemed not repairable by the engineer alone and was to be uncoupled from the train, moved onto Track 4 siding (the track nearest in the photo) and brought back into the yard. Then a helper set coming back west from Sand Patch Grade was going to get on the front of the autorack train for what is called a Double Head move to Cumberland. The mainline being blocked was really screwing up the other traffic, as other trains had to be run around the autorack train. Update: CSX 7345 has since been retired. It is now GECX 7345. |