BigJimWhat you are forgetting is, if you run the engine in the spur and the brakeman didn't bleed the car off all the way and the car/s hang up out on the main, then you are really screwed! You have no way to get home!
Let's be honest - you're screwed either way. heh.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
A dead end branch here they run two locomotives one on each end.
Russell
In that case it would drop back out and you'd do it again. Run the engine where you don't want the cars to go.
Maybe. Depends on how long the track is, how many cars, are they loads or empties and how many people you have. The engineer has a lot more control over speed and stopping and engine than a guy on a car with a handbrake. If you are dropping 5 cars and the spur holds 7 cars, I would put the engine in the spur. I know the engine can get stopped in 7 car lengths. Can the crew get enough handbrakes set quick enough to stop a 5 car cut in 2 car lengths? Maybe not. If you put the engine in the spur and let the cars go down the main or lead, you have miles to get them stopped. If you have one guy and its going to take 3 handbrakes to stop the cut, he's probably not going to have enough time to wind up 3 hand brakes in 2 or 3 car lengths. The more people the more handbrakes you can set at the same time, the faster you can get the cut stopped. It depends.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
dehusmanThe more people
One very dark night as I approached the Southern Pacific crossing of Cordelia Road (Suisun City CA), I noticed a small white light that appeared to be moving along the track toward the crossing.
Although the crossing signal/gate did not activate I stopped short of the track.
The light was a flashlight in the hand of a brakeman hanging onto a boxcar at the head of a cut of cars being shoved toward the crossing. Seconds later the "train" crossed in front of me.
I really believe that if I had not stopped I would have been hit.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
dehusman I would put the engine in the spur.
.