Consist question?

[Anonymous]

Is there an order cars are hooked up to a consist or are they just thrown together by the switching crews? Example : tank cars up front, box cars middle......

[cefinkjr]

The cars in a train are "blocked" for efficient movement. That is, all cars bound for one destination are in one block, cars in the same train bound for another destination are in another block, etc. A typical freight will have one to five blocks although I recall some trains with as many as 10. Blocks are arranged within the train for most efficient handling en route. For example; the first block to be "set out" (dropped off) will normally be behind the locomotive although special situations (easier switching) might dictate that this block be last in the train.

When pre-blocked cars are picked up en route, they are inserted in the train between existing blocks so that the block order of the train is preserved. If you have a train moving from point A to point F, it might have cars for B, D, E, and F in that order. Even though there are no cars for C, the train may pick up cars at C for D "behind block 2" and cars for E "before block 3".

Clear as mud?[:D]

Chuck

[pcarrell]

There are some roads that have orders about not putting tank cars up front. I heard of one road (I don't remember who right now) that stated that any tankers had to be at least 8 cars back from the last loco.

[jimrice4449]

It's not a RR regulation but federal. It's been 17 years sunce I worked for the BN but at that time "dangerous" cars had to be at least 5 cars from an engine, occupied caboose or running mech. reefer.

[dehusman]

The order of the cars in a train are by destination (sorta). The railroads make "blocks" of cars that will be handled the same. So all the cars on a through freight train that are going to the same next yard or the same interchange will be on the train in the same group. Locals will be in order by the stations they serve (called station order).

The Federal Gov't has regulations on where hazardous cars can be placed next to each other, other cars and engines or cabooses. In addition the railroad may have rules governing car placement (a short cement hopper can't be coupled to a long piggyback or you can't have 20 loaded cars in a block behind 20 empty cars in a block or you can't have an empty flat car ahead of more than 4500 tons, etc).

Other than that its just how they fall after they are switched. Some trains may have all the same type or similar types of cars together just because of where the blocks go. A train headed for the Gulf Coast will have lots of tank cars and covered hoppers because they load a lot of tank cars and covered hoppers of chemicals there.

Dave H.