CSX Three Step Disconnects?

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3 replies

trainsopray1

Member since
September 2003
From: USA
23 posts

CSX Three Step Disconnects?

Posted by trainsopray1 on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 1:27 PM

Monitoring CSX activity in Rockville,Maryland I often here stalled train engineers being told by Jacksonville dispatchers to preform a safety three step disconnect before retrying to start the engine lash up on the stalled train. What does this do and why are they always told to do it first? Can we get a labeled section drawing off the internet for this CSX area? What site address should we use? trainsopray1@aol.com

Thomas R. O'Pray Rockville,MD

BlakeTyner

Member since
January 2007
From: Jefferson, Texas
31 posts

Posted by BlakeTyner on Thursday, March 22, 2007 3:56 PM

Three step is the engineer 1) setting the brake, 2) placing the reverser in neutral and removing the handle, and 3) isolating the traction motors. It's usually done when there will be someone moving between equipment to connect hoses and such. Not sure why they'd call for it when a train is stalled.

Blake Harris

coborn35

Member since
January 2005
From: Duluth,Minnesota,USA
4,015 posts

Posted by coborn35 on Sunday, April 8, 2007 6:38 PM

Its called Three Point Protection, and it is used to make absolutley sure the engine does not move while a crewman is in between. ALL railroads use variations of it.

Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."

The Missabe Road: Safety First