SAFETY ON THE KICKING HORSE PASS

[Euclid]

zugmann

Whether emergency application or retainers, you are still relying on air (and gaskets/fittings) to hold a train. 

 

Cars leak off.  That's why we (our rules) allowed to jsut leave cars sit around with an emergency applicaiton.  They must be tied down (handbrakes).

 

Now another question to throw into the pot:  when was the last time the cars were given an inspection by trained MECHANICAL personnel?

 

If the TSB had allowed the use of retainers to hold a train and did not require the use of handbrakes for that purpose, I assume it was okay to use the retainers.  I understand your point about air not being reliable for securement.  But perhaps there is a disctintion between securing a train and leaving it for a period of time, and just securing it to prevent it from rolling away as the brakes release on a grade due to recharging the reservoirs; and thus releasing before the reservoirs are charged sufficiently to make an application sufficient to control the train.   

[BaltACD]

Euclid

But perhaps there is a disctintion between securing a train and leaving it for a period of time, and just securing it to prevent it from rolling away as the brakes release on a grade due to recharging the reservoirs; and thus releasing before the reservoirs are charged sufficiently to make an application sufficient to control the train.   

There is no distinction - if it can roll, it will.  Safety is applying hand brakes.  No one knows at the start of a incident how long the train will be rquired to remain on the grade!  

[Euclid]

BaltACD

 

Euclid

But perhaps there is a disctintion between securing a train and leaving it for a period of time, and just securing it to prevent it from rolling away as the brakes release on a grade due to recharging the reservoirs; and thus releasing before the reservoirs are charged sufficiently to make an application sufficient to control the train.   

 

 

There is no distinction - if it can roll, it will.  Safety is applying hand brakes.  No one knows at the start of a incident how long the train will be rquired to remain on the grade!  

 

Well if there is a rule to apply handbrakes any time a train stops, why did TSB, in response to this runaway, introduce a new emergency rule requiring handbrakes to be applied when a train stops?

[traisessive1]

First of all the TSB in Canada can't do anything. They can only make suggestions and recommendations. It's TRANSPORT CANADA who makes rulings. They are not the same thing. 

Second, if the rules stated handbrakes didn't need to be applied, applying handbrakes will almost certainly have you brought in for discipline for delaying trains. Also, no conductor wants to keel over and die from an exploded heart. Tying on handbrakes is VERY physically demanding from a cardio point of view. 

Third. Putting retainers in the High Pressure position should leave about 20 psi in the cylinder when you release the brakes. The whole system will recharge while leaving that air in the brake cylinder; 20 psi is LESS than the emegency application the train would be in IF they released the air.  

[Euclid]

traisessive1

Third. Putting retainers in the High Pressure position should leave about 20 psi in the cylinder when you release the brakes. The whole system will recharge while leaving that air in the brake cylinder; 20 psi is LESS than the emegency application the train would be in IF they released the air.

Would 20 psi in each cylinder hold the train from rolling down the grade?

[traisessive1]

I have never worked in mountain grade nor have used retainers so you would have to ask guys who have. CP certainly seemed to think so.