March 19, 2022 – The crew on eastbound CSX Q374 (Rose Lake, IL (UP) – Avon, IN) freight waits for a signal on the Indianapolis Terminal Subdivision so it can head east from Danville, IN, with Kansas City Southern 4841 and Norfolk Southern 4237 leading the way.
According to worldwiderails.com: Those who are unfamiliar with railroads may not understand why railroads would share locomotives, but there are many good reasons for this long-standing practice. It might seem contradictory for railroads to share locomotives since theyre sometimes in direct competition with each other, but this practice benefits both companies.
Railroads share locomotives in a series of arrangements known as pooled power arrangements. Railroads will share both tracks and locomotives with other railroads to pool resources for increased efficiency.
When a locomotive operates through the territories of multiple railroads without stopping, this locomotive is said to be running on run-through power. In most cases, it is more efficient to leave the locomotive on the track to carry freight for either line than it is to try and pull the locomotive once it hits a territory edge. Trains operate most efficiently when they can remain running.
Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 500mm, f/6, 1/400, ISO 450.