Gilluly Loop is one of those places where an observer can see a train moving in opposite directions at the same time. Pictured here is a westbound coal train that is moving away from me and toward me. Its head end has come from bottom right, gone around the hill, and emerged at middle right. The tail end of the train is behind my position and will soon pass in front of me.
I can recall attempting this sort of thing with my electric train as a child. I could never keep the cars in the middle from tipping off the tracks. But of course that was before gravity. Great shot, at first I thought it was two trains.
Two engines up front; one or two at the rear. Number of freight cars: probably 80-100. Total weight (rough estimates): each engine---100 tons; each freight car---50 tons. The diesel-electric locomotives have diesel engines that power electric motors that turn the axles. When descending hills such as this, the motors can be used as generators, acting as braking devices: I think this is called regenerative braking. This is a long, heavy monster.
Dave, this is fascinating. Can you give a few extra details.
How many carriages would there be on this train ?
What would be the total weight of the train ?
How many engines would pull this train ?
This is something I will never see in real life.
