3 EMD SD70ACEs up front restart 12,000 ton train on a 2% Grade, Moffat Tunnel Subdivision, Colorado

This video does a good job of breifly explaining how freight trains operate in general and how efficient they are: A loaded BNSF Sand Train headed Westbound on the Moffat Tunnel Subdivision west of Denver, CO. I gets under way after waiting in the Tolland Siding for the Eastbound Winter Park Express and a freight train. After the tunnel vented, the dispatcher gave then a green signal and all 5 locomotives, including 3 SD70Ace on the front and an ES44 and SD70Mac on the rear (22,200 HP), started just about 12,000 tones (80 cars) up the 2% grade (1 in 50) toward the summit inside the Moffat Tunnel. To be fair the grade where the train stopped is about 1.6% average but after the train passes the camera the grade rises to % for next few miles to the Moffat Tunnel. Answers to FAQs and some general information: 1. First 3 locos: SD70Ace 4500hp (3,400 kW) 191,000 lbf starting tractive effort (850 kN) First rear loco: ES44AC 4400hp (3,300 kW) 183,000 lbf starting tractive effort Last loco: SD70Mac 4300hp (3,200 kW) 175,000 lbf starting tractive effort 2. There was discussion in the 1970’s to electrify the line but it just doesn’t have enough traffic to justify the large cost of erecting the catenary in the roughly 35 tunnels and tight canyons. 3. The 2% average grade on this line is 42 miles long so it would be difficult to hold the train at the bottom for a clear run up to the top. The train stopped on a passing track to let two trains go by before entering the single track 6.2 mile long Moffat Tunnel. Check out my other video with the above mentioned trains, and more. Check out my other channel