Roll-By Duties

[Anonymous]

When I listen-in on BNSF's Northtown Yard ops channel, I hear quite
a bit of talk about roll-by checks. I was always under the impression
that in a yard, it was the exclusive job of the car men to perform roll-
by inspections. But it seems (and it's possible I don't always hear
things right), that car men do these checks as well as train crews
(not just at a meet but in the yard too), the driver of the crew-hauler,
etc. Is it the case that whoever happens to be in a convenient place
in the yard to do a roll-by can be assigned to do it?

[mudchicken]

Everybody is supposed to roll trains by as they stand in the clear...........This roadmaster always does it...Radio chatter is a practical matter related to cluttering up the airwaves

More critical to watch 'em come out of the yard and out on branchlines. The more eyes and ears, the better....

[BaltACD]

Every employee observing a passing train is supposed to observe it for any defects and then communicate any exceptions to the operating crew.

In the old days of cabooses the results of the inspection got communicated to the 'rear end crew' via hand signals. Today's trains, without cabooses, require the results of the inspeciton be communicated to the head end crew via the radio. Numerous serious incidents have been averted account roll by inspections.

[rrnut282]

Isn't that what railfans, excuse me, foamers do anyway for free? Some I know go so far as to have the DS's phone number on speed dial on their cell phone.

[jchnhtfd]

indeed, 2-8-2, and a knowledgable fan calling something in is much appreciated. Nothing like an extra set of eyes...

[rrnut282]

You would think that, but take a look at some of the other threads in the forum about how some fans are treated. It depends if you were right and if they "know" who you are.