I read something in Trains magazine where the writer used the term "highballing the switch". Can anyone explain this to me in simple terms? Let me thank you all in advance.
Ridgemen
ridgemenI read something in Trains magazine where the writer used the term "highballing the switch". Can anyone explain this to me in simple terms? Let me thank you all in advance. Ridgemen
I'm thinking (could be wrong, many terms are localized) that would mean skipping serving a customer. For example, the local may have a ton of work to do at 7 industries, and there's an 8th industry that just has one empty to pull. So they may get permission (...always a good idea, but not always needed) to skip that customer that day.
We would probably use the term "highballing the work".
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
"Highballing the switch" means that the crew is not stopping theit their train so they can can line and lock to align the switch. The next by that switch will take call of that.
TheS.P.caboose"Highballing the switch" means that the crew is not stopping theit their train so they can can line and lock to align the switch. The next by that switch will take call of that.
Guess that makes more sense. We don't have dark territory around here...
TheS.P.caboose "Highballing the switch" means that the crew is not stopping theit their train so they can can line and lock to align the switch. The next by that switch will take call of that.
If I recall rightly, this came up in response to an ''Ask Trains'' question about how the crews handle the manual switches at each end of a passing siding in single-track territory* - before, during, and after a meet - now that there are practically no cabooses and hence no crew people on the rear of either train to re-line the switch at the leaving end to 'Normal' or for the main track - the response above is one way to adddress that dilemma. The other alternatives are basically either to back the siding train down so the conductor doesn't have to walk far - make sure you've got authority or are otherwise protected to do that; or a long walk for the con; or else maybe a ride in a crew taxi or handy company vehicle - or maybe even (unofficially) a friendly railfan who gives him/ her a lift.
*You don't have those either, do you, zug ?
- Paul North.
A couple when I worked the (ugh) road.
One siding was signaled on one end, manual switch on the other - and was a favorite place to tie down your train if the terminal was too busy. And yes, I had to walk up a couple times (got a lift on a passing train another).
That's why I like my current home. Doesn't take much to walk a 15 car train...
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