Train 376 is on average about 14000 tons.. so it requires more than one unit. Every year they come out with new tonage plans for each sub.. it lists each sub or section of the line and what each unit is good for. A good rule of thumb for DC engines is 1 hp per 1 ton. AC units are usually good for .75HP per 1 ton. Although for example... on the River Sub an AC44 is good for 12140 tons westward... and 15545 Eastward. And we are not talking land speed records with these figures by any means.
When it comes to units for braking in regards to safety, one is the same as ten when you put the train into emergency. Except for units equipped with a DB holding feature.
When it comes to one unit wonders on the Skally.... there is a date (which i don't know off hand..) when the BN requires at least two units on all trains on the Hinkley Sub... thats when u start seeing GP38's with the AC's...
I just finished a month marked to the skally pool.. and i had probably 3 or 4 one unit trips on 482/483.... including one slow journey up to Nickerson with one unit on my last trip.
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