UPRR Rochelle Subdivision

N Scale Union Pacific in Northern Illinois

Union Pacific Train ICHCOI

(I)ntermodal train from (CH)icago to (C)ity (O)f (I)ndustry

With experience under your belt, you are now ready to handle a little more challenging train, the westbound ICHCOI intermodal train.  This train carries containers and trailers from Chicago to Los Angeles.  On the Rochelle Sub there is also a stop in Nelson to pick up and set out cars.  Your train is headed up by two freshly painted AC4400s UP5714 and UP5799.  The staging yardmaster releases road number 5714 back to the system and you are ready to climb aboard.

 

 

After plugging your throttle into the Loconet, you dial up (57)14 and you are set to start you train’s journey over the Rochelle Sub.

 

 

Before you begin, you check in with the dispatcher to let him know you are ready to roll.

 

 

The dispatcher lines up your route, which gives you the green signal. You gradually crank up the throttle and your train begins to move, gaining speed slowly.

 

 

 

 

Your train emerges from under the overpass and heads toward Rochelle where a manifest train is waiting for you to pass.

 

 

Your train enters the eastern edge of Rochelle passing Amoco Oil and Total Logistics Control

 

 

As your train continues to roll you unplug your throttle and re-plug into the Loconet at Rochelle.

 

 

You give your units more juice as your train reaches the Rochelle speed limit of 35 mph.

 

 

With the green at the crossing you’re ready to rumble across the diamonds.

 

 

You admire your train as it crosses the diamonds, not noticing that the BNSF tracks and the neighborhood road miraculously continue into the backdrop.

 

 

Once past Rochelle you increase your speed to 45 mph and head across the high trestle.

 

 

Wanting to keep ahead of your train, you plug your throttle down the line west of Buhl.

 

 

This gives you the opportunity to get a wide view of your train as it enters Buhl.

 

 

 

You get yet another wide view as the train enters the eastern edge of Mitford.

 

 

The East Mitford signal was yellow indicating a stop at the next signal so you quickly plug in at Mitford and begin slowing your train.

 

 

 

As the train passes the Mitford station, its smoothly reducing speed for its stop at MP120.

 

 

Sure enough the signal at MP120 is red as you come to a complete stop and wait for the Nelson Yardmaster to clear you for entrance into the yard.

 

 

Having received clearance from the Nelson Yardmaster, your signal turns yellow and you move toward the Nelson Yard at restricted speed of 10 mph.

 

 

 

Once in Nelson, you bring your train to a complete stop and uncouple your units from the train.

 

 

Still governed by restricted yard speed of 10 mph, you take your locomotives to the engine facilities.

 

 

Once stopped at the engine facilities, you relax while the maintenance crew checks over your AC4400s.

 

 

The Nelson Yardmaster takes over switching your train, picking up and setting out cars according to the computer switch list.

 

 

 

With its switching duties complete for your train, the Yardmaster takes his units out of the way.

 

 

You’re back on duty now as you plug your throttle back into the Loconet at the west end of Nelson and pull your units out of the engine facilities.

 

 

 

You couple back to your train and prepare for departure from the Nelson Yard.

 

 

 

Keeping ahead of your train, you plug into the loco-net at Freemont and slowly head out of Nelson and into Freemont.

 

 

 

You don’t get much past 10 mph as there is a red signal at MP139 on the west end of Freemont.

 

 

The reason for the red signal is an eastbound manifest train headed up by an SD60, SD40-2 snoot nose and an SD40-2 Tunnel Motor.

 

 

 

With the manifest train past, you crank up the throttle once again and roll westbound out of Freemont.

 

 

Having completed the intermodal run, you reward yourself and contemplate taking on an even more challenging train.  Maybe a manifest or even a local!!!!

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