The conductor for the mid-train helper set throws the yard switch in the helper yard back to Track one after four units came out of the yard onto Main 1 and have been cut in to a westbound coal load.
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Soldier Summit is one of the few places left in the United States that still uses manned helpers. Heavy westbound UP unit trains, such as coal and oil, have a mid-train swing helpers cut in from the Helper Yard onto Main 1.
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The crew on this eastbound coal empty is onboard and just about ready to start rolling east. The train will load at the West Elk Mine on the North Fork Branch. Meanwhile, manned helpers are about to cut in to a westbound coal load on Main 1.
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Although coal has largely declined in recent years, it has not yet disappeared completely. I actually lucked out and caught a meet between a westbound load on Main 1 and an eastbound empty on Main 2. The load is waiting for manned helpers to be cut in, and the empty is waiting for a new crew to climb onboard.
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