| MP SD50 5017 crossing the White River at Cotter, Arkansas on October 29, 1987, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. This is a loaded unit coal train decending a 1 percent grade into Cotter Yard, about a half mile beyond this point, where the crew will change. Unfortunately the MP ordered their SD50's without dynamic brakes, so it will require air brakes to control this train into the yard. The MP was a power braking road, meaning the locomotives kept pulling even when the brakes were applied in order to keep the train stretched. Of course the engine brakes were bailed off. The purpose was to keep from breaking coupler knuckles. |