Engineer/Dispatch talk

[Anonymous]

I was in Porter Junction,Indiana last weekend filming trains and heard on my scanner several times from engineers "medium clear"(I think)- what does this term mean? I also heard the detector on the Amtrak line state an odd number of axles for one that went by- is that possible?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure it wasn't 'median clear' as in the space between the tracks? If a MOW crew was working between the tracks, then they would have given that indication to the dispatcher and/or engineer. This is just a guess on my part, though. I didn't hear the scanner, you did, so you'd be able to tell me I'm full of it.

As for the odd number of axles, well, yes, it is possible for the detector to miss one (or add one). I've heard it a couple of times on the error detector on the CSX East/West line through Hardin, Ohio - can't remember the milepost number, although I live about 1/4 mile from milepost 164.0 and Hardin is about 4 or 5 miles to the west. Either the RED isn't working properly on the train, or the detector doesn't get a clear report from the RED. Could be any number of things, but unless there's a car (or locomotive) minus an axle, it isn't going to be a physical problem with the train.

[pmsteamman]

Toyomantrains, as for "medium clear" it is a signal aspect (red over green). It means that the train is to go "medium speed (30mph) through turnouts crossovers and power operated switches, then proceed". The odd number of axles can happen also. The defect detecor may have picked up the HEP cables, this sometimes happens with the mother and slug combos we have on CSX.

[Anonymous]

It could have been 'median',though I'm not familiar with that term on the scanner.I think it was 'medium clear' as pmsteamman suggested,though. Had the scanner on turbo without delay at the time. Sometimes its hard to hear what exactly is said. I have noticed (maybe just me) that Amtrak engineers sound like airline pilots when contacting dispatch- seemingly quite different from freight engineers(on average).

[CShaveRR]

I'm pretty sure CSX crews have to call out their signal indications as they see them, and a Medium Clear is what they would receive at Porter when going on or off their own (ex-C&O/PM) line.

I've also heard that detector (which is actually an excess-height detector, to protect the drawbridge at Michigan City) come out with an odd number of axles...makes you wonder what's lying around the track east of there.

[Anonymous]

Well, as I said, I didn't hear the conversation, so I've learned something here, too. Thanks, pmsteamman and CshaveRR, for the correct answers. I've never heard them say that phrase before on either of the two CSX lines that run through Sidney. Mostly what I've heard is, "You are authorized to proceed through the maintenance area at normal track speed." so I figured 'median clear' was an MOW expression. Now I know.

[csxengineer98]

little bit more info for you
a MOW forman is the one that gives you permistion into a trackwork zone... the converstation you heard was the forman giving the train permistion with no restrictions... as for the meduim clear... like someone said befor..thats a signal indication...
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

Amtrak decteres are goofy LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DOGGY
GO CUBS

[Rustyrex]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pmsteamman

Toyomantrains, as for "medium clear" it is a signal aspect (red over green). It means that the train is to go "medium speed (30mph) through turnouts crossovers and power operated switches, then proceed".

Just curious if Medium Clear, as referred to on the CSX, I beleive, is the same as BNSF's Diverging Clear red over green?

[Anonymous]

In Canada a red/green/red is medium to clear.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Doggy

Amtrak decteres are goofy LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DOGGY
GO CUBS

amtrak only owns track in the north east corridor... i dont think they know any other track any place else.... so it would be another rail roads defect detector... not amtraks... and getting an odd number axle count from a DD is not that uncommon...we had one that would give you an odd axle count for years..untill they finaly fixed it... it would take an axle away..or give you an extra axle...all depending on what kind of mood it was in that day...
csx engineer

[rrnut282]

Amtrak does own the line through Michigan. At one time they were upgrading the signals and crossing protection for 110mph.

[CShaveRR]

Medium Clear and Diverging Clear are pretty much the same. In the GCOR (BNSF, UP, and others), Diverging Clear tells you to proceed over the diverging route at the prescribed speed. On railroads such as CSX, GTW (as I remember) and NS (maybe), you have Medium Clear and Slow Clear instead, and the speed is specified in the rule itself. Incidentally, a Slow Clear (two reds over a green) would also be a Diverging Clear on a GCOR railroad.

To be specific, Amtrak owns the line from Porter, Indiana, to Kalamazoo. They aren't up to 110 mph yet...I think they're allowed up to 90 on the test stretch somewhere west of Niles.

[JoeKoh]

Heard a crew ask to take a left at deshler to go to garrett.
stay safe
Joe

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Medium Clear and Diverging Clear are pretty much the same. In the GCOR (BNSF, UP, and others), Diverging Clear tells you to proceed over the diverging route at the prescribed speed. On railroads such as CSX, GTW (as I remember) and NS (maybe), you have Medium Clear and Slow Clear instead, and the speed is specified in the rule itself. Incidentally, a Slow Clear (two reds over a green) would also be a Diverging Clear on a GCOR railroad.

To be specific, Amtrak owns the line from Porter, Indiana, to Kalamazoo. They aren't up to 110 mph yet...I think they're allowed up to 90 on the test stretch somewhere west of Niles.

i stand corrected on that trackage that amtrash owns... i thought they only owned the tracks in the north east corridor
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

Mabe you CSXT people should teach UNIONPACIFIC how to "RUN A RAILROAD"!mrlove.

[csxengineer98]

CSX people did try and teach UP people how to run a rail road in the great UP meltdown of the 90s then they UP took over the CNW... remember the demo derby trains in texas and the 1 crew dead a week in the news...
csx big shots where in Omaha to try and help UP sort out the mess....so our teaching must have payed off somewhat..havent heard much about UP melting down like i did in the early days of the merger...when UP was a system wide parking lot.... lol
csx engineer

[Saxman]

On ex GTW a "Medium Clear" signal indication would be a Red/Green/Red. Red/Green or Red/Red/Green would be a "SLOW CLEAR" indication. The speed for Medium Clear on Ex GTW is now 25 MPH through the turnout or crossover insted of 30 MPH.

GTW signals were all speed signals (signal indication tells what speed to approach next signal at or speed through turnout or crossover.) until the mereger with the IC. Now there is a combonation of speed and route signals on the South Bend Sub. after the CTC project in 2000 and new signals going to the IC standard of route signals instead of the CN standard of speed signals. Makes for some interesting combinations of indications and what to do. At South Bend (CP437), the indication to cross Conrail, oops NS is a Limited Clear Red /Flashing Green/Red not to exceed 45 MPH. Timetable speed says 30 MPH and the advance signal will display Approach Diverging Yellow/Green. So much for the signal department talking to operations as to what's going on and what would be a "logical" signal sequence.

As far as detectors giving odd axle counts, it happens all the time! just one of lifes little mysteries. I like the ones that will give the temperature. A couple of weeks ago the detector at MP 41 on the ex GTW South Bend Sub. said it was -50 degrees. That's right MINUS 50 degrees! Really put the cap on an already bad trip!