Locomotive Manuals

[Krazykat112079]

there have been many of railroader who help start this forum and have hung in here to answer questions and talk most of the original people have left and mostly foamers are here with wrong information,

I appologize if you feel slighted, but there are better ways to give foamers the right information.  The kid asked a question in good faith and in the process used a term, while functionally usable in the circumstance, was not local industry standard (if that can really apply to a forum open worldwide).  Instead of using a simple (conceptually, not grammatically) sentence, such as, "In the United States, we use the term operate when refering to locomotives and not drive.", a snarky response was given that in no way provided the correct information.  I freely admit that my response was no less snarky and that a healthy dose of sleep-on-it was in order.  Read the thread, don't read the thread, the question was answered along with several others and hopefully everyone is a little smarter in the ways of trains (and maybe the English language) now for having read it.

[Anonymous]

check out this site www.rr_fallen flags.com. There is a list of operating manuals that have been scanned cover to cover from the original.There is a variety of different Alco,BLW,EMD,GE,FM and even Lima models and a couple of GE electrics if I remember correctly.Not too much of the real new stuff (something about EMD trying to be a pain in the a** legally) but if you want 411 on a RSD5 or a SD9 or a SD40-2 or a RF16 or a SW1500 or a ... check it out.

[FTGT725]

One of the definitions of drive is "to operate or control a vehicle".  Are you suggesting that engineers neither operate nor control locomotives?  While, sure, it isn't a term used in the industry, you cannot blame someone for properly using a functional synonym.

I have never seen the term control in driving, driving means steering we run engines and the train just comes along. real simple.

Main Entry: ¹drive
Function: verb
Pronunciation: 'driv
Inflected Form(s): drove/'drOv/ ; driv·en/'dri-v&n/ ; driv·ing/'dri-vi[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English drifan; akin to Old High German triban to drive
transitive senses
1 a : to frighten or prod (as game or cattle) into moving in a desired direction b : to go through (a district) driving game animals
2 : to carry on or through energetically <drives a hard bargain>
3 a : to impart a forward motion to by physical force <waves drove the boat ashore> b : to repulse, remove, or cause to go by force, authority, or influence <drive the enemy back> c : to set or keep in motion or operation <drive machinery by electricity>
4 a : to direct the motions and course of (a draft animal) b : to operate the mechanism and controls (as a vehicle) c : to convey in a vehicle d : to float (logs) down a stream
5 a : to exert inescapable or coercive pressure on : FORCE b : to compel to undergo or suffer a change (as in situation or emotional state) <drove him crazy> <drove her out of business> c : to urge relentlessly to continuous exertion <the sergeant drove his recruits> d : to press or force into an activity, course, or direction <the drug habit drives addicts to steal> e : to project, inject, or impress incisively <drove her point home>
6 : to force (a passage) by pressing or digging
7 a : to propel (an object of play) swiftly b : to hit (a golf ball) from the tee especially with a driver ; also : to drive a golf ball onto (a green) c : to cause (a run or runner) to be scored in baseball -- usually used with in
8 : to give shape or impulse to <factors that drive the business cycle>
intransitive senses
1 a : to dash, plunge, or surge ahead rapidly or violently b : to progress with strong momentum <the rain was driving hard>
2 a : to operate a vehicle b : to have oneself carried in a vehicle
3 : to drive a golf ball
synonym see MOVE
- driv·abil·i·ty also drive·abil·i·ty/"dri-v&-'bi-l&-te/ noun
- driv·able also drive·able/'dri-v&-b&l/ adjective
- drive at : to intend to express, convey, or accomplish <did not understand what she was driving at -- Eric Goldman>

 

You might want to cut the kid a little slack as you knew what he meant. I've never "run" an engine either but I'll bet you I have enough knowledge to get one moving and not bust a knuckle. Now getting it over the road would be a different story. 

[steam_marc]

Using Microsoft Train Sim, I actually was able to learn most of the controls of a locomotive. This past summer, I was able to get into the cab of a locomotive, and I knew where everything was. The crew said I operated it like I was a natural. I decided not to tell them where I learned to operate a loco. As much fun as MSTS can be, however, there is no substitute for the real thing. There is no better way to learn than to be in the cab of an engine.

[zardoz]

I learned a long time ago that people like you are useless ( check that grammer)  and that when your wrong you tend to attack other things to try and make yourself look better and to try and win your argument, and as usual you wont win but you keep on to be heard. you wouldnt admit to your mistakes if they bit you in the rear. there have been many of railroader who help start this forum and have hung in here to answer questions and talk most of the original people have left and mostly foamers are here with wrong information, then when you come track side, you wonder why you get such a nasty and evil reply from crews. its is because of things like this, The last 11 guys that was track side who thought they was right and 1 guy really did it for all  he even said you cant call the law we are not treaspassing, 3 min later they were all escorted off the property.  I have not had a problem with these guys again. why am i telling you this is because I wont be reading this thread again call it drivers all you want, im done with it,

Sheesh!  What a grouch!!!!

I think he is taking himself WAY too seriously. 

Good thing you didn't call him a motorman!

[caduceus]

check out this site www.rr_fallen flags.com. There is a list of operating manuals that have been scanned cover to cover from the original.There is a variety of different Alco,BLW,EMD,GE,FM and even Lima models and a couple of GE electrics if I remember correctly.Not too much of the real new stuff (something about EMD trying to be a pain in the a** legally) but if you want 411 on a RSD5 or a SD9 or a SD40-2 or a RF16 or a SW1500 or a ... check it out.

Outstanding!  I drive 40 miles to work each day on a 2-lane road that closely parallels the CN.  Just in the last few months I've gotten curious about the different types of locomotives I see every day.  My grandfather was an engineer on the Chicago Great Western until he retired in  1966 or there abouts.  Thanks for the site address.

[Anonymous]

I Agree with Krazykat112079 , we as engineers run the engines , operate them or control them , in the Uk we used to be call Lomotives engineers as well , i am not sure when they decide to change it to Train drivers , but the Train drivers union ( Aslef ) is still call Associated Society of Locomotives Engineers and Firemen , in the usa you are a L engineer ,  we do have difrent rules and traction and even " Drive " or Run on the other side of the Road , but in the end we all do the same Job.

[csxengineer98]

haveing a few opporators manuls myself that the company has given me when a new model locomotive comes into service.. most of the information in them is nothing more then dry techical information such as how to read the computer screens for fult and reset information and a many techical drawings showing parts and systems of the locomotive themselfs.. for the most part very dry and dull reading and dont have any real bearing on how to run the locomotive itself... almost all the information in it is stuff that we as engineers arent alowed to touch anyways short of a few reset switchs and electrical circit breakers.. and i have yet to ever open one up in line of road to trouble shoot an engin or locomotive problem of any kind... with all the computer systems  onboard now a days.. most of the time its just a matter of shutting the unit down.. pulling all the electircal breakers.. letting it sit and rebooting the computer.. just like you do with your home PC when there is an issue.. 9 times out of 10 it works.. but that 1 time it dont.. you just call in the "pros" at the mechinical department on the phone and they will try and talk you through what ever issue it might be.. but most of the time they just open up an even bigger manul then the one i have and follow the flow chart (if the issue is A... do steps 1,2,5,7..ext ext..) and if that helps..your on your way..if not.. they say we will put an insicent in agins this unit which means next time it goes to the shop it will get looked at..and your SOL.. hope you can make it with the power you have left running or working... so i guess what im saying is that the "opporatorer manuals" are nothing but dead weight in my grip and need to be taken out..

csx engineer 

[csxengineer98]

also running a train on MSTS is NOTHING like the real thing.. i have messed around with MSTS in the past and besides it being extreamly dull and boring to me (flight sim is way more fun) you are missing the one main thing that every engineer in the world will tell you... the feeling of the train in your butt... you know alot about what a train is doing behind you by the feelings you get though the seat and you are able to make judgment calls on how to run it by that feeling.. i was able to tell we where on the ground one time just by the feeling of the train getting tight (infact i told the conductor we where on the ground...he looked at me with a shocked look on his face and said we didnt go into emergancy how do you know? i said the train is getting tight..we should be rolling free..better go back and check.. we stopped and he went back and looked..and we where.. we had 2 cars on the ground..now this wasnt on the main and was while yarding the train..but the rules still are the same as far as feeling the train)  being able to go through the motions on a simulator of running an engin or a train is no way close to running one in the real world...

csx engineer 

[Tjsingle]

1 Start locomotive

2 Put in reverser lever

3 release brakes

4 put in forward

5 run 1

He's right driving a locomotive is much more than that, like saftey, its not a matter of turning a key like in your parents car, I know this and I'm 14 :D

well im sure glad your not engineer working where i work. you be a run-a way train already. but you still cant drive a train. there is no run 1... even though most foamers out here will agree with you. but being your only 12 ill go easy on you. ill say this to you , you cant drive a train. think about that.

[Ham549]

1 Start locomotive, that is not as easy as it sounds. Also you forgot to waite for brake line and reservore presure to build up.

[route_rock]

  There are a few more steps but by law and the code of the grand order of locomotive engineers I cant tell you.If I did I would have to take you out to a field and feed you to the pigs,but I digress.

  I got to run the BNSF sim during the first phase of the LETP program. All I can say is NOTHING like the real thing. YOu get a little scren however sowing where the rear of your train is,is it comingup going down are you in a curve yadda yadda. But no feeling. You watch little colored lines tell you draft buff and slack forces.

  Like CSX engineer said its all a "butt feeling" you will know when that big run in is coming cause you didnt run out of the way of the slack thats chasing you everywhere.or the feeling of sliding forward as the slack runs out the other way.

  In MSTS I have noticed that when slowing a loco and watching form the outside view I have sen a slack run in hat would have tossed me into the window.But I got a "Freight durability levels were met" message!

  Good luck in your dream to be an engineer, I finally got here hope to see you here too someday.

[spikejones52002]

People like wabash 1 are so fast to give a sarcastic answer but failed to give what he thinks is the proper term. This forum is for people to learn and not to be criticized.

Every day I am very happy to learn something new. 

[4merroad4man]

It's nice to see someone so interested in becoming an Engineer.  Like the other Locomotive Engineers who responded, I will suggest that you hang in there for a bit.

A locomotive operator's manual is simply a guide; similar to an owner's manual you would find in a new car, and about as useful.  Microsoft Train Simulator can only simulate so much, and one of the things it can't simulate besides the feeling on your backside is the danger that comes with slack run in and run out, and the myraid little things that we as Engineers have to do on a minute by minute basis.  And ineither can give you the one thing veteran Engineers can...the benefit of their experience.  That, coupled with one's own skills and experiences are what turn out great Engineers.  But MTS does give you the idea of what the mechanical actions are like to run a locomotve, and that is worth something, so keep practicing.

Hang in there kid....a few more years will see you in the right hand seat; we all had to wait a while, but we all were able to follow our dreams.  Trust me; the wait is worth it.

If you have any questions, I am sure the professional Locomotive Engineers on this board, new and veterans alike, would be happy to answer them for you, if they can.

[route_rock]

Amen to the experienced engineer. Guy I am riding with right now has almost 43 years engine service.  He says I hope I am not boring you with all this stuff. BORING?!?!?! heck no I am scribling it all down like a mad man in my little notebook.

  I havent had that big thumping run in our out yet,yet being the key word,but just feeling the anticipation so to speak as you start to pull knowing that half your train is over a hump and then you feel a bog down and it picks up a bit and FRED says "Hey I am moving back here" Its an awesome feeling.

 

[BigJim]

Ham549 wrote the following post at 03-31-2008 10:33 AM:
1 Start locomotive, that is not as easy as it sounds.

And exactly what is so hard about it? 

BTW, to the kid that asked the original question to begin with...save your money kid! There's nothing in that manual that is going to teach you how to run a real train, much less a simulator!

[csxengineer98]

Ham549 wrote the following post at 03-31-2008 10:33 AM:
1 Start locomotive, that is not as easy as it sounds.

And exactly what is so hard about it? 

BTW, to the kid that asked the original question to begin with...save your money kid! There's nothing in that manual that is going to teach you how to run a real train, much less a simulator!

its not that hard that is true..but for someone that has no idea how to do it..it will seem difficult.. you know as well as i do that there are steps and things that must be done in the cab befor it will start.. im not going into all the steps involved and where to find things in the cab to get one to start from a dead shutdown... but if you dont have any knowlage as to where to find what in order to get it to start.. your just standing there stairing at something that looks like it should be on the space shuttle...

even with the pushbutton cab starters that the new pwoer has now..you still have to do things befor that will even work.. so yea.. for someone that has no idea it is difficult to a degree...

csx engineer