blhanel Murphy Siding Hi Brian, hi Dale! What is this? Like a convergence of the planets? Still lurking after all these years...
Murphy Siding Hi Brian, hi Dale! What is this? Like a convergence of the planets?
Hi Brian, hi Dale! What is this? Like a convergence of the planets?
Still lurking after all these years...
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Thanks. It isn't easy. I have a heck of a time connecting to this site anymore. Using the PM function is even dicier.
To the railroading part, the poor guy riding the car wasn't having fun. It was 4 below zero with a howling wind and snowing like crazy. The route is over a bridge and up through a wooded area so thick there's probably not even deer trails. I understand the reason- safety.
BNSF does use a shoving platform when they switch industries up the hill, but apparently not when they move cars yard to yard. The platform is a nice Cascade Green color.
Murphy Siding My new office overlooks a bridge on one of the BNSF lines in town. The line connects 2 small yards. The other day I saw a locomotive pushing a single hopper from one yard, across the bridge, and up the hill to the other yard, a distance of perhaps 1-1/2 to 2 miles. I can und why there was a man riding the front of the car. The train had to cross two city streets and then be switched to get on the line going over the bridge. From there, it's probably a mile until the switch at the upper yard. I understand there are rules to be followed. But why did this man have to ride the front of that car the whole way?
My new office overlooks a bridge on one of the BNSF lines in town. The line connects 2 small yards. The other day I saw a locomotive pushing a single hopper from one yard, across the bridge, and up the hill to the other yard, a distance of perhaps 1-1/2 to 2 miles. I can und why there was a man riding the front of the car. The train had to cross two city streets and then be switched to get on the line going over the bridge. From there, it's probably a mile until the switch at the upper yard.
I understand there are rules to be followed. But why did this man have to ride the front of that car the whole way?
Good to see you back again!
SD70Dude Shoving blind actually is acceptable in some cases under our rules, in situations where the track is considered "known to be clear". This is usually going to be when the train has a work authority out on the main track, and there are no crossings on the stretch you will be shoving over. Some yards have leads that are considered 'Exclusive Occupancy' or 'Point Protection Zones', if it is known that your length will fit on the lead and the yardmaster has given you permission to work there you can move back and forth without someone on the point. The yardmaster may also watch your point with a camera. Some of these leads also have 'shove lights', the lead consists of sections of bonded track and the indication on the light tells you roughly how close your point is getting to the end.
Shoving blind actually is acceptable in some cases under our rules, in situations where the track is considered "known to be clear". This is usually going to be when the train has a work authority out on the main track, and there are no crossings on the stretch you will be shoving over.
Some yards have leads that are considered 'Exclusive Occupancy' or 'Point Protection Zones', if it is known that your length will fit on the lead and the yardmaster has given you permission to work there you can move back and forth without someone on the point. The yardmaster may also watch your point with a camera.
Some of these leads also have 'shove lights', the lead consists of sections of bonded track and the indication on the light tells you roughly how close your point is getting to the end.
The General Code of Operating Rules, which BNSF uses, does have some rules that allow unprotected shoving movements under certain circumstances and conditions. However, in Murphy's observed situation they wouldn't apply. So the guy has to protect the point.
Those allowable instances and conditions only protect railroad employees and equipment. You could still run over a trespasser walking on or crossing over tracks.
Jeff
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Shoving blind is never acceptable. Unfortunately, protecting that shove comes with its own risks, largely beyond the trainman's control.
nanaimo73 Hey Norris, good to see you again. Hope things are well! That guy was certainly earning his pay, I spent two winters in Winnipeg and that was enough for me.
Hey Norris, good to see you again. Hope things are well!
That guy was certainly earning his pay, I spent two winters in Winnipeg and that was enough for me.
If there was no "shoving platform" available, he might have an 8 hour penalty claim for riding the side of a car on an excessive shove. If one was available but he chose not to use it, then no penalty.
I worked an industry job as a switchman many years ago where we always shoved back about 2 miles to the yard. (Two of the three jobs originating there always shoved back.) Although we had a shoving platform available, we normally didn't bother with it.
Murphy SidingMy new office overlooks a bridge on one of the BNSF lines in town. The line connects 2 small yards. The other day I saw a locomotive pushing a single hopper from one yard, across the bridge, and up the hill to the other yard, a distance of perhaps 1-1/2 to 2 miles. I can und why there was a man riding the front of the car. The train had to cross two city streets and then be switched to get on the line going over the bridge. From there, it's probably a mile until the switch at the upper yard. I understand there are rules to be followed. But why did this man have to ride the front of that car the whole way?
Because you could have been the trespasser walking in the gauge with your earphones on grooving out to the tune and hidden by the car being shoved.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Hey Dale and Norris, great to see posts from a couple of long-time forum members!
He is the eyes of the movement. Even though it's just one car, the engineer does not have a clear view of what's ahead.
I once did a 30 mile push with one passenger car - as the "eyes." At least I wasn't hanging off the side of the car, I was in the vestibule. We had to pick up another passenger car. At least I got to run on the way back...
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...
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