The UP route thru Iowa has always been well known for the ATC signal territory. The ATC meant that only a CNW, or now days, an UP motor could lead on trains. With the coming PTC changes on all railroads, photos like this wont be a big deal. Continued detours across the UP in March from Missouri River flooding provided something different leading a train across Iowa other than a UP unit. Somehow the UP got a wavier from the FRA for these moves to run non-ATC. I would have to really dig back in my photos, but I think this might of some of my 1st non-UP leaders out here in 26 years! Here detour train FCNAMO swings around the big curve west of Bertram on the UP Clinton Sub. Trees have really grown up over the years here!
