Explain what I saw yesterday. I was waiting on a BNSF train at Carson S.D. Before it got there, a crew van showed up and dropped of a man in a reflective vest. As the train approached slowly the man held his hand up for the train to stop, and it did. The engineer stuck an arm out the window and then the two seemed to play a game 'how many fingers am I holding up'? The hitchhiker gave signals as the engineer checked lights and horn, like they were at a Jiffy Lube. He got in and after a few minutes the train left.
Is this the opening scene of a slasher movie? Instead of ominous music, the crossing lights and bells went on and off five times while the train was parked.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Murphy SidingIs this the opening scene of a slasher movie?
I detect the presence of a 21st Century Gauleiter-class weed weasel... "There's no need to skulk any more ... we're Out Of The Closet -- WEASEL PRIDE! It's our time!".
*Adapted from the original book: get your copy here: https://d310a9hpolx59w.cloudfront.net/product_photos/77584906/file_16c642928e_original.jpg
Coming soon, though: Leprechaun 108: The Unsafe Course should Always Be Taken, starring E Hunter Harrison and Paul Hilal. "Where's me 82 Million???" Watch the OR and the payroll get slashed! Watch employees get screwed to the wall! Watch Cindy Sanborn get the ax! You'll want to miss it; you'll want to avert your eyes... but you CAN"T!
OvermodI detect the presence of a 21st Century Gauleiter-class weed weasel...
Somebody got a check ride...
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...
Overmod Leprechaun 108: The Unsafe Course should Always Be Taken
Hey, that's unfair to leprechauns! One of them took over driving for me on a long, long road trip! And no, I wasn't indulging in some "Tullamore Dew," I was very tired!
Once I realized what was going on I had him pull into a Holiday Inn so I could get some rest, then he was on his way.
At least he kept me from being banshee bait!
Flintlock76Hey, that's unfair to leprechauns!
We seem to be almost as close to "107 varieties" of the franchise as we were to the Saturday Night Live parody of ... what was it, Rocky XXXIV, where the geriatric boxers try to get out of their wheelchairs before the bell...
https://www.pacificsandiego.com/arts-culture/movies/story/2020-03-16/all-eight-leprechaun-films-during-coronavirus
"Where's Me Gold?" would have been your tipoff, as it's a trope in those films...
Once I realized what was going on I had him pull into a Holiday Inn so I could get some rest...
Fine, fine... but whatever you do, don't watch any television!!!
Oh, I know about the Jennifer Aniston film, that was unfair to leprechauns! Bloody slanderous, boy-o!
OvermodFine, fine... but whatever you do, don't watch any television!!!
I sure as hell didn't!
Anyway, if you want a good leprechaun movie try "The Luck Of The Irish" from 1948 starring Captain Tyrone Power USMCR (OOO-RAH!), Anne Baxter, and Cecil Kellaway.
VERY fair to leprechuns!
tree68 Overmod I detect the presence of a 21st Century Gauleiter-class weed weasel... Somebody got a check ride...
Overmod I detect the presence of a 21st Century Gauleiter-class weed weasel...
Murphy SidingOtherwise I can't see him stopping for a guy on railroad property holding up his hand.
The engineer may have known who it was.
Crew hauler moonlights as a door-dash delivery driver....Beans!
Well, I'm kinda confused about the direction this thread took.
Wasn't the guy probably someone from the mechanical department who was sent to check out something on the engine?
Lithonia Operator Well, I'm kinda confused about the direction this thread took. Wasn't the guy probably someone from the mechanical department who was sent to check out something on the engine?
Murphy Siding If it was someone testing the crew, why didn't he get on the train 5 miles back at the departing yard?
The fact that he went through the lights, etc, might indicate a test to see if the engineer inspected his steed. All that stuff is supposed to be working when a train leaves its initial terminal - checking it a few miles out would be a test for that. The RFE/DSLE* would then board and do all the other stuff - checking for appropropriate documents, observing train handling, etc.
We've seen people dismount from trains at Deshler. Since Deshler is the border between two dispatching districts, it's possible that the same applies to RFE's.
* Road Foreman of Engines, Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers
Quick one Tree', this is for you from Miningman.
https---www.nscorp.com-content-dam-nscorp-news-NS911_with_oldAltoonaWorksengine7.jpg
Enjoy it!
Got an error on it.
That's odd, the link works just fine for me. What does it say when the error pops up?
It's using an obsolete, soon to be eliminated, protocol.
The connection used to load this site used TLS 1.0 or TLS 1.1, which are deprecated and will be disabled in the future. Once disabled, users will be prevented from loading this site. The server should enable TLS 1.2 or later.
Dang, that's too bad, can't help you with that one.
Just so you know, it's a nice shot of the NS "First Responders" locomotive with a classic Mack pumper parked in front.
Flintlock76 Dang, that's too bad, can't help you with that one. Just so you know, it's a nice shot of the NS "First Responders" locomotive with a classic Mack pumper parked in front.
I may have seen it if it's been in the trade press/media. Everyone tries to get such a shot when the loco is in town.
Murphy Siding Lithonia Operator Well, I'm kinda confused about the direction this thread took. Wasn't the guy probably someone from the mechanical department who was sent to check out something on the engine? Good point, but he was dropped off by a crew van not A BNSF work vehicle. I picture someone from the mech department at least carrying a small tool box. This guy had nothing, not even a clipboard. If it was someone testing the crew, why didn't he get on the train 5 miles back at thr departing yard?
Good point, but he was dropped off by a crew van not A BNSF work vehicle. I picture someone from the mech department at least carrying a small tool box. This guy had nothing, not even a clipboard. If it was someone testing the crew, why didn't he get on the train 5 miles back at thr departing yard?
If he knew he was being dropped off and going for a ride, perhaps he didn't want to leave a vehicle at that location?
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Hopefully you have seen it, I seem to recall seeing it myself at another time.
By the way, Lady Firestorm recognized the Mack rig for what it was right away, even before she noticed the locomotive. She's a firefighter's daughter all right.
tree68 Murphy Siding If it was someone testing the crew, why didn't he get on the train 5 miles back at the departing yard? The fact that he went through the lights, etc, might indicate a test to see if the engineer inspected his steed. All that stuff is supposed to be working when a train leaves its initial terminal - checking it a few miles out would be a test for that. The RFE/DSLE* would then board and do all the other stuff - checking for appropropriate documents, observing train handling, etc. We've seen people dismount from trains at Deshler. Since Deshler is the border between two dispatching districts, it's possible that the same applies to RFE's. * Road Foreman of Engines, Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers
Not so sure it was testing - if it was, I have to believe they would have been carrying something with them on which to record the test results. Murphy said they had nothing, "not even a clipboard".
Perhaps it was someone who was supposed to be part of the crew, loaded their gear before the train departed its previous location, but couldn't be on the locomotive at the moment of departure for some reason?
Two questions.
1. How clean was his hi-viz vest? If it was very clean, it's probably a manager. I agree if he got on, it's probably a check ride. Need one every year, 50 miles or 4 hours I believe is the minimum, at least for us. I will say, usually managers carry their electronic equipment as they also may do a download of the event recorder as part of the check.
2. Which fingers, or finger, was he waving at them?
Jeff
jeffhergert Two questions. 1. How clean was his hi-viz vest? If it was very clean, it's probably a manager. I agree if he got on, it's probably a check ride. Need one every year, 50 miles or 4 hours I believe is the minimum, at least for us. I will say, usually managers carry their electronic equipment as they also may do a download of the event recorder as part of the check. 2. Which fingers, or finger, was he waving at them? Jeff
He may have been the conductor, ferried out to some point after re-lining a switch from a siding or yard after the train left it. The "testing" may have been because the engineer was concerned about the lights (maybe the on/off switch seemed loose or something).
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
One more try for the Tree, Vince doesn't give up easily!
http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/news/norfolk-southernunveilsspeciallocomotivehonoringemergencyfirstre.html
Semper VaporoHe may have been the conductor, ferried out to some point after re-lining a switch from a siding or yard after the train left it.
Good point. I should have thought of it as I was somewhat involved in a similar situation some years ago.
A neat and clean reflective vest is usually the sign of a company officer.
Gloves and vests down stay neat and clean for long for.
jeffhergert1. How clean was his hi-viz vest? If it was very clean, it's probably a manager. I agree if he got on, it's probably a check ride. Need one every year, 50 miles or 4 hours I believe is the minimum, at least for us. I will say, usually managers carry their electronic equipment as they also may do a download of the event recorder as part of the check.
You guys have actual managers ride you still? How quaint.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
zugmann jeffhergert 1. How clean was his hi-viz vest? If it was very clean, it's probably a manager. I agree if he got on, it's probably a check ride. Need one every year, 50 miles or 4 hours I believe is the minimum, at least for us. I will say, usually managers carry their electronic equipment as they also may do a download of the event recorder as part of the check. You guys have actual managers ride you still? How quaint.
jeffhergert 1. How clean was his hi-viz vest? If it was very clean, it's probably a manager. I agree if he got on, it's probably a check ride. Need one every year, 50 miles or 4 hours I believe is the minimum, at least for us. I will say, usually managers carry their electronic equipment as they also may do a download of the event recorder as part of the check.
We couldn't have a third person in the cab for the longest time, due to social distancing restrictions. They also cancelled all training to save money (that "strategy" is now biting them bigtime).
Training and 'ride-alongs' are resuming now out here, along with heightened "Efficiency Testing".
I think the FRA requires the check ride. It can, and has been done, using the simulators. IMO, that shouldn't be allowed. The simulators are far removed from the real world in many instances.
They used simulators to qualify people on territories. That's really asking for trouble.
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