04-25-2014, 08:51 AM
"Pooled" or "run through" power typically is assigned to particular trains. As Charlie says, it speeds things up by allowing the power to remain on the train, especially if the whole consist is blocked (for instance) from Elkhart, IN to Kansas City, MO. So you would see it on particular priority trains, with predictable roads, in more or less predictable consists. In the 1970s, PC had run through power with Santa Fe, at least as far as Kansas City -- not sure how far east it ran. There were also run-through arrangements between NYC/PC and the Burlington, so that you frequently saw CB&Q units on the LS&MS or MC, again on particular trains. Cotton Belt originally ordered GP40s specifically to run through on PC, at least as far as Indianapolis. UP and CB&Q power ran though on PRR. Farther afield, in the early 1970s there was a run-through between Southern, MP, and UP at least along a Memphis-KC route -- don't know the end points here.
A KP&W-PC power consist might reflect the idea that KP&W was a closely held PC subsidiary, rather than that kind of run-through, more like P&LE or P-RSL. You often see P&LE "System" lettered locos in photos elsewhere on NYC.
I'm always thinking about how to add variety to my layout -- you might want to think about an auto parts train that could justify power from Western roads, for instance.
A KP&W-PC power consist might reflect the idea that KP&W was a closely held PC subsidiary, rather than that kind of run-through, more like P&LE or P-RSL. You often see P&LE "System" lettered locos in photos elsewhere on NYC.
I'm always thinking about how to add variety to my layout -- you might want to think about an auto parts train that could justify power from Western roads, for instance.