When there's more power in the back the head end can't "runaway" from slack going through sags. The solution (and a requirement for some of our trains) is to put up the "fence" and operate the DP independently a notch or two less than the head end.
When shoving, the person protecting the shove via radio must specify the distance to be travelled. This is usually given in car length counts. 50 to 60 feet being the distance associated with a car length. When given a specific count, say 20 cars, the movement must be stopped in half that distance, 10 cars in this instance, unless further instructions are received.
Jeff
JPS1 What happens if the engineer is backing the train and loses communication with the person guiding him/her?
He/she stops. Nothing further happens until some form of communication is re-established. That could be hand signals if the two can see each other.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Does the person controlling the shove communicate with the engineer on a company approved device, or can he/she use a cell phone?
Hand-held radio provided by the railroad in most cases. Combined with the installed locomotive radio, it's a pretty reliable system.
JPS1Does the person controlling the shove communicate with the engineer on a company approved device, or can he/she use a cell phone?
Operative cell phones are prohibited in accordance with FRA Emergency Order effective October 27, 2008.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
While officially prohibited, I wouldn't be surprised if crews on some shortlines regularly used their cellphones to communicate with each other or their Dispatcher.
CN (in Canada) used to have company-issued cellphones that were assigned to some yard or roadswitcher crews, to make it easier for customers, clerks or supervisors to be contacted while out in the field. In my area they disappeared during a round of budget cuts about 5 or 6 years ago, not because of any safety regulation or Transport Canada order.
Switching moves were always performed using the company radio system. The radios are a lot more rugged and louder than cellphones.
A few people did get pretty good at talking on both the radio and phone simultaneously while riding the side of a boxcar......
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BaltACD JPS1 Does the person controlling the shove communicate with the engineer on a company approved device, or can he/she use a cell phone?
JPS1
SD70DudeA few people did get pretty good at talking on both the radio and phone simultaneously while riding the side of a boxcar......
OK, I'll ask how. One hand on a grab iron, one on the cell phone and where was the PTT mike?
Our conductors have started receiving a mobile electronic device that can do all the computer reporting in real time. Plus it can be used as a communications device. It can dial into the radio wayside installations using that equipment to talk over the radio channel.
It's come in handy is situations where a conductor has been back walking the train and his radio no longer reaches the engine.
Electroliner 1935OK, I'll ask how. One hand on a grab iron, one on the cell phone and where was the PTT mike?
Loop your arm through the grab iron all the way to the elbow. Hold the mic or the radio in that hand, use the other for the cell phone. Easy, peasy...
(No, I've never done that. I have problems with the grab irons being designed for people much shorter than moi...)
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