I would liken it to the 'link and pin' coupling from yester-yesteryear. Not as dangerous, but second to it. Icy roofwalks for braking would be third!
PMR
A friend of mine who retired as a RR cop from the PC told me a story about an accident that seriously injured two breakmen. They were poling 4 cars on an adjacent track and the pole dropped out. Dug in the ballast and derailed the locomotive and another car. The locomotive fouled a third track and was hit by another cut that was moving on that track.
Dangerous business those poles were.
PM RailfanA most dangerous way to switch in/out cars!
It sure sounds like it.
All my equipment has poling pockets, but I would never assign one of my little crew members to do that.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
A random sample of the cars in my yard tells me that a good percentage of my rolling stock, mostly the boxcars, have either a full round pocket or an angled dimple. I didn't check all my engines, but my little diesel switcher does NOT have any pocket nor do the IHC Premier (purple box) steam locomotives.
I've really enjoyed this bit of history. Thanks for bringing it up, Shane.
-Matt
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
Kevin) Yes they were made of hardwood. Some may have iron or steel rings around them to keep them from 'splintering' during use and weather. Some had end caps also as protection.
More times than not just a wooden pole with rounded ends to fit the pockets.
A most dangerous way to switch in/out cars!
Clear Ahead,
Douglas
cx500I suspect it was never actually outlawed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKWyAHbWnQg
cx500TH&B switchers in Hamilton, Ontario, still carried poles under the running board into the early 1970s, but how often they were used is unknown to me. John
This one looks like it's equipped to both push and/or pull...
Wayne
SeeYou190 Flintlock76 A dangerous practice, it was outlawed a long time ago. When was this practice banned?
Flintlock76 A dangerous practice, it was outlawed a long time ago.
When was this practice banned?
I suspect it was never actually outlawed. Instead the number of places where it was needed dwindled to the vanishing point. No doubt many railroads did eventually ban it but that would have been individual decisions.
TH&B switchers in Hamilton, Ontario, still carried poles under the running board into the early 1970s, but how often they were used is unknown to me.
John
BigDaddyThey would be a bear to lift if they were steel.
I'll bet the wooden ones took a team to lift too. Maybe even a team of bears.
mbinsewiThey were wood, as one of the many dangers of poling was the pole splitting apart, and wood splinters flying everywhere.
Good Heavens!
That sounds insane. A steel tube would just bend.
They were wood, as one of the many dangers of poling was the pole splitting apart, and wood splinters flying everywhere.
From what I've found, by the 60's, it was pretty much banned by all railroads. I remember some freight cars in the 70's still had the pockets.
Mike.
My You Tube
SeeYou190Were the poles wood? I had assumed they were steel.
They would be a bear to lift if they were steel.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Flintlock76The were typically used in freight yards to push cars fouling (partially blocking) adjacent tracks.
I had always heard they were mainly used for getting freight cars out of stub ended sidings where the locomotive was on the wrong end of the train.
Flintlock76A dangerous practice, it was outlawed a long time ago.
gmpullmanI know the PRR had poling cars used in their larger yards. NJ Custom brass made some in HO.
It is an interesting model, and one that is on my "buy list". They come up for sale quite often, so I am not too concerned about a shortage.
PM RailfanRound toothpics are a good place to start in HO Scale.
Were the poles wood? I had assumed they were steel.
Round toothpics are a good place to start in HO Scale.
Man, o man, I would love to have one of those poling cars sitting in my yard.
I know the PRR had poling cars used in their larger yards. NJ Custom brass made some in HO.
More on Poling here, including a photo of the aforementioned PRR car:
http://industrialscenery.blogspot.com/2015/07/poling-railroad-cars.html
A diagram of the PRR car here, for you scratchbuilders:
http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?diag=S5-27231.gif&sel=&sz=sm&fr=
Good Luck, Ed
Here is an example:
TrainWeb.com156
philo426 What are the poles used for?
What are the poles used for?
The were typically used in freight yards to push cars fouling (partially blocking) adjacent tracks. One end of the pole would be placed in a "dimple" on the pilot of a switch (or any) engine and the other end in a "dimple" on the carbody.
A dangerous practice, it was outlawed a long time ago.
One picture (or movie) is worth a thousand words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7YK6ePUoIo
Google Railroad push poles. Look at images, you'll see. Used for moving cars.
Way out of my period, but I sure remember cars with that "pocket" on each corner. I think the pocket outlived the poles! haha.
Looking at pictures on the 'net, they look to be about 6" or so in diameter, and as long as the crew figured was necessary. I'm sure Dave H. will answer your question.
I rarely see push poles modeled. Specifically the hangers or the poles them selves hanging on the locos. i saw it on a brass tender and realized it is a missing detail most of the time. They put the pockets on but not the poles. I figure I should add that detail as I start working on the steam fleet. At least to the switch engines. So what are the dimentions of those poles? shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space