Switch (Loud bang)

[Anonymous]

On my last trip via Amtrak my sleep was interupted many times by a very loud "BANG" when passing through a switch after changing tracks. Could it be caused by the high speed? This happened many times. Artisimm5

[Anonymous]

On my last trip via Amtrak my sleep was interupted many times by a very loud "BANG" when passing through a switch after changing tracks. Could it be caused by the high speed? This happened many times. Artisimm5

[zardoz]

Artisimm5-
My best guess would be the drawbars re-alighning themselves after binding during the wide swing through a turnout. If the drawbars were to 'hang up' on anything (such as the bracket holding them), then when the stress was finally overcome, they would let loose rather abruptly.

[zardoz]

Artisimm5-
My best guess would be the drawbars re-alighning themselves after binding during the wide swing through a turnout. If the drawbars were to 'hang up' on anything (such as the bracket holding them), then when the stress was finally overcome, they would let loose rather abruptly.

[JoeKoh]

Mr. Artisimm5
Autoracks make the same sound when changing tracks here in Defiance.because you have a large car turning on a small radius.
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

Mr. Artisimm5
Autoracks make the same sound when changing tracks here in Defiance.because you have a large car turning on a small radius.
stay safe
joe

[mudchicken]

Every time you go over a worn frog with a flangeway gap in it, you'll get a bang. If you get a gage problem with the turnout, say an extra inch, you get a bigger bang when the guardrail opposite the frog pulls the wheel away from the point of frog. Add speed to either with a long passenger car and the bang gets bigger.

Just as long as things do not go bang, ka-boom, splat! you are dooing good. If you are riding anywhere between the two coasts, chances are you are on a freight railroad with very different dynamics and maintenance practices than the NE Corridor. Both are safe, but one costs a lot less to maintain at the lower speed and without all the special trackwork.

[mudchicken]

Every time you go over a worn frog with a flangeway gap in it, you'll get a bang. If you get a gage problem with the turnout, say an extra inch, you get a bigger bang when the guardrail opposite the frog pulls the wheel away from the point of frog. Add speed to either with a long passenger car and the bang gets bigger.

Just as long as things do not go bang, ka-boom, splat! you are dooing good. If you are riding anywhere between the two coasts, chances are you are on a freight railroad with very different dynamics and maintenance practices than the NE Corridor. Both are safe, but one costs a lot less to maintain at the lower speed and without all the special trackwork.