Double air hoses

[Anonymous]

I've noticed on some of the coal trains running through here that they have two air lines connected under the couplers. One is the main train line but I was wondering what the second is for. It is smaller in diameter and on the last car is just hanging free. The cars were aluminum body coal hoppers. I think the reporting marks were HYWX.

[Anonymous]

I belive these are the electronic brakes hoses. Not for sure tough.

[thirdrail1]

If the cars are hoppers, the line could be the air or electrical line for the hopper gate mechanisms. One would have to see the specific car to be sure.

[Anonymous]

Most of the coal trains which do not have rotary dump cars will have the air dump hoppers with two air lines. One is the regular air brake line and the other is the air line used to operate the air opening hopper gate on the bottom of the cars. This air dump line is usually disconnected in one or two locations when the train is moving on the mainline, but is connected when the train arrives at the unloading power plant. Most of these cars have a metal striking plate on the side which is pushed to open the hopper gates when the car arrives over the dump pit.

[Anonymous]

That is what I figured. Yes the cars I saw had the striking plate on the side. I wonder how long they have been like that and I just now noticed. Thanks for the help.

[Anonymous]

Robert,
I know those cars have had two air hoses for over 25. Several power plants have been unloading coal on the move, using the hot shoe, for more than 25 years. The coal is not only unloaded on the move, but also loaded while the train is moving.

[herbster]

Hi Guys:
Those are side dumps cars, Amtrak uses them on the NE Corriador to dump trap rock on track work or rip rock were you might have a wash out. The hoses one for brake pike and one is for controls the dumpgate on the car.

[thirdrail1]

No, we are talking about coal hoppers. The Amtrak ballast cars are similar but not the same thing. They do not dump to the side like ballast cars. The coal hoppers are private marked cars in captive service.

[wabash1]

what you are refering to is the big hose is for the air brake system the second hose is the main resevior hose when the train is loaded this hose must be connected to the engine as if not the doors can and do open with a load inside it . the hose can not be couple to the train line as the glad hands are differant size. like the glad hands on the engine for the mu of multiple engines.