Uncoupling Helpers

[squeeze]

In my various train watching locations which sometimes includes viewing on long steep climbs or descents, such as Sand Patch or the Horseshoe Curve, I notice that on some consists that need help, there are "Helpers" tacked on the rear end of the train. Do these "Helpers" couple and uncouple on the fly or does the train have to come to a stop? In the so called old days of the "Crummies," Someone would come out of the Caboose and pull the pin after the train slowed down so the proceedure was not so un-safe. With the demise of the Caboose today, is there a way to do it from the Engine that is helping? And if so how does the air brake dis-engage so as not to lock up the train? I'm never in the correct location to see this happen, but I do notice that the helpers also run "light" back the other direction to help again. Also do all roads do this the same? Hope this post is not a repeat.

[Anonymous]

From what I gather like in Wyoming for the BNSF is that they cut off on the fly. The engineer on the pusher power dials in the Fred number of the train he is going to push on like a headend box so if the train goes into emergency it will shut him down even though the brake pipe is not connected. Then when it is time to cut off the engineer has a button on the control stand that will automatically pull the pin on the locomotive and away the train goes. Now I heard about this second hand from a conductor that worked out their. I have not ran anything like that yet. Just DP trains.

[n012944]

Some do it on the fly, some come to a stop. It is different at differnet locations and type of trains.

Bert

[samuelpc]

try this site
http://krugtales.50megs.com/rrpictale/helperlink/helperlink.htm

[squeeze]

Thank you for that informative URL. That is very interesting. Truely amazing no one ever got hurt uncoupling.

[csxengineer98]

it all depends on if the helper unit is equiped with a helper link system for cutting off on the fly or not... if it has one..theyn yes..they can cut off from the rear of the train without the train haveing to come to a stop..but if they dont have helper link...they have to stop..and a brakeman will manualy uncouple from the rear end of the train..and reatatch the brake pipe hose to the EOT and send the train on its way once he is in the clear...
csx engineer

[dwil89]

On NS between Altoona and Johnstown, Pa, helpers are used on the rear, and head end of trains as required....Trains come to a full stop so the helper conductor can uncouple. For awhile in the last days on Conrail, helperlink was used, where rear helpers could cut off on the fly with a flick of a switch. This was when Conrail had reduced helper crews down to 1 man crews. When NS took over, 2 man helper crews were reinstituted over the line, so helperlink was abolished.

[BT CPSO 266]

 

dwil89

When NS took over, 2 man helper crews were reinstituted over the line, so helperlink was abolished.

 This may be an old post I stumbled over but I fill it could use some updating. NS is now using helperlink on the Pittsburgh Line now.