This UP trackage rights train snarled BNSF Main 1 for several hours while Cranemasters came out from Kansas City to replace the front axle of the lead bogie, which had frozen and was dragging. As a result, traffic was diverted over Main 2 in fleets, four west and then four trains eastward during the work seen above. The replacement took only about an hour - these guys really knew what they were doing. In this view, the front wheelset with the bad traction motor has been dropped and the replacement wheelset is seen at far right, next to the orange dude. This produces a new wheel arrangement for Trainspo, given that the loco was formerly a C-C, and is now (temporarily, at least) a 1B-C, until it can get a new traction motor axle at Chicago, North Platte or North Little Rock shops.
Thanks! Always neat to watch big machines in action!
P.S. Interesting photo, thanks
Thanks!
Yes. Railroading on any scale is exorbitantly expensive.