07-17-2009, 04:32 PM
Run-through power agreements and by-the-hour locomotives are two entirely different animals. Railroads are still honoring their run-through power agreements that they have for a decade or more. Eastern power doesn't make it to the west coast simply because it doesn't need to make up the horsepower hours owed. Run-through agreements exist to ease interchange operations. They aren't in effect because one of the roads is power short. The "rent-a-wreck" leasers are what railroads use when they are short on power and virtually all of those locomotives are parked now by Class 1 systems although some are still running around on shortlines and regionals without their own power.