----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman
QUOTE: Originally posted by O.S. Average grade from Bakersfield to Summit, 50 miles is 1.36%.
QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken .....visions of little copper beads in the ballast section and wheelburns![}:)][}:)][}:)] (Suddenly unit reduction ain't all that cheap![swg]) [banghead][banghead][banghead]
QUOTE: Originally posted by arbfbe Highiron, It would be nice just to thumb your nose at your boss and add an insurance unit to add to each train in the mountains but you do not have access to any units to add. All those coming in on trains are due out on other trains. Borrowing one of them will likely lead to a domino effect meltdown further along the line. The boss you are mad at for shorting you the power is just as steamed at his boss who has shorted him. He is still steamed at the board of directors that only bout 75 units of the 95 that was recommended since they didn't want to be stuck with unproductive multimillion $$ units. Older units do not pull as well as newer units but the tonnage rating tables for the units never seem to get adjusted to reflect that. That does not help when the power/tonnage ratio is tight. Then there is the least expected. BN added PVC drain pipes to the sump drains on their SD40-2s to convey the spillage from the locomotive sumps to drop between the rails. (Don't worry, these units now have retention tanks and such environmental degradation has been stopped.) Sometimes these angular 3" PVC serer pipes were cut just a little too short. When there was a lot of oil in the sump from a tired engine and you were going up hill just fine, you might come to a right hand curve and the oil would be deposited directly on the top of the rail. The first time this happened it was perplexing. Then I figured I could just fill the lower end of the drain pipe with a wad of old wheel reports and paper towels and cap that off with some sort of plastic bag duct taped around the outside of the pipe to staunch the flow. Then I could back the train 5-10 car lengths with the MU sanders on and try again. You have just got to love this job. Alan
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar BSNF Railfan, Of course the Truckers get pissed off. For some of them it is that close on the schedules and they can lose thier jobs for being an hour late. For a poor few, they are already late and the stalled train simply threatens to excaberate the situation. I have been lucky on stalled trains. For me with refidgerated down near the border with Mexico, I found that you better try to get on the American side of the railroad tracks before dusk. These crews sometime sleep right where the train is blocking all kinds of stuff at night. Luckily life is rather slow and locals dont seem to mind at all.
QUOTE: Originally posted by MP173 Gabe: As I have posted this fall, the CN has had a mess with the hill here in Valparaiso. They were falling down 2-3 times daily. These were primarily the BN or UP coal trains, powered by 2 locomotives. Since then they have started doubling the hill or waiting for a second EB to pull up and assist it up the hill. There are options the CN uses here, based on a stall: 1. Double the hill. 2. Power from a WB comes down to help...all power is on the head end and that doesnt seem to work reall well. 3. Power from a trailing train. Last Wednsday, the day before Thanksgiving, an EB manifest stalled, due to lousy power. It took from 5PM until 10pm to clear up the mess. My son and I watched an EB come up the hill at probably 1-2 mph. We walked faster. It was impressive. Interesting about the STR's. This train was at that speed for at least 20 minutes. Perhaps he had powered down. ed
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