Unless the bridge is on a grade, load or empty doesn't matter. Braking force would be the same. Figure about 20%-25% of the light weight of the car. Figure empty cars weigh about 25 tons and a knuckle is good for 250,000#. Roughly 20 cars.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
zugmann Bucyrus I think the original assumption was that the break in two left both head end and hind end cars on the bridge. So how do you get to the anglecock of the head end cars?When stuff like that happens, the people that make the big bucks get to make the decisions.
Bucyrus I think the original assumption was that the break in two left both head end and hind end cars on the bridge. So how do you get to the anglecock of the head end cars?
I think the original assumption was that the break in two left both head end and hind end cars on the bridge. So how do you get to the anglecock of the head end cars?
Okay, so you first call somebody who makes big bucks. Then he tells you to slide the head end cars off the trestle if there are not more than twenty of them. If there are more than twenty cars on the trestle, Mr. Big Bucks tells you to crawl under them, and under their forty-plus trucks. And keep an eye out for bears and wolves. I think I would be tempted to try the old coat hanger trick.
Nah.. they send the managers to crawl under the cars with the bears. (easier to replace)
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
zugmann Nah.. they send the managers to crawl under the cars with the bears. (easier to replace)
^^ Laughing...THAT was funny
oltmannd Unless the bridge is on a grade, load or empty doesn't matter. Braking force would be the same. Figure about 20%-25% of the light weight of the car. Figure empty cars weigh about 25 tons and a knuckle is good for 250,000#. Roughly 20 cars.
If a standing car has its brakes applied hard enough to slide the wheels, are you saying that the sliding resistance will be the same no matter whether the car is loaded or empty?
Actually, sliding 'em is looking better and better from here. If you know that you have fewer than the 20 cars, go for it. Keep in mind that only one car will be dragged for 20 car-lengths, because anyone with half a brain would be standing there bleeding the cars off as they came within reach, both to save the wheels and to make the pull easier. One other car would be dragged for 19 carlengths, the next one for 18, and so on.Twenty carlengths....2000 feet max, if the cars were multilevels. I've seen wheels that have been slid for longer than that, and, though you'll hear the flat spots you won't be rendering the car immovable.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Bucyrus If a standing car has its brakes applied hard enough to slide the wheels, are you saying that the sliding resistance will be the same no matter whether the car is loaded or empty?
Loads normally don't slide, even with an emergency application. Empties on the other hand....
We've certainly had some interesting answers. And it sounds like the solution at hand is workable, so long as 20 or fewer cars are trailing.
Looking at applications such as this however, it's not inconceivable that more than 20 cars could be involved.
If you look at some of the lengthy approach trestles on those old bridges over the Ohio River, some of them appear as though the walkways were added as an afterthought.
I think this is a matter thatt the unions should take up first with the management of the big seven, and then if neccesary with the FRA. When caboosses were eliminated and crew sizes reduced, management should have insured that all main lines were walkable, so walking inspection would always be possible without danger to crew members. The is means that within one year, any bridge longer than 100 feet that has seen a train longer than 20 cars at least five times in the past year should have a well-maintained walkway. And within five years any cut or fill with a depth greater than five feed that has seen a train longer than 20 cars at least five times in the past year should have a place to walk beside the track.
Some time in the recent past (I couldn't say when, time seems to slip by faster than I realize) the unions pushed for a bill in Iowa that requires walkways on bridges. Any bridge that doesn't already have one must have one installed when it comes up for normal repairs/deck replacement. I believe it was enacted and I've seen walkways added to bridges that didn't originally have them.
Jeff
Well, what was done in Iowa should be done Nation-wide. Simply bring the matter to the FRA's attention may be enough, since they are empowered to issue any regulations required to insure safety, and this matter is pretty obvious. Let's get the ruling BEFORE there is proof that it is needed!
Bucyrus zugmann Bucyrus I think the original assumption was that the break in two left both head end and hind end cars on the bridge. So how do you get to the anglecock of the head end cars?When stuff like that happens, the people that make the big bucks get to make the decisions. Okay, so you first call somebody who makes big bucks. Then he tells you to slide the head end cars off the trestle if there are not more than twenty of them. If there are more than twenty cars on the trestle, Mr. Big Bucks tells you to crawl under them, and under their forty-plus trucks. And keep an eye out for bears and wolves. I think I would be tempted to try the old coat hanger trick.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Murphy Siding Without walkways, how did the bears and wolves get out on the bridge, and under the train?
Without walkways, how did the bears and wolves get out on the bridge, and under the train?
Must have been smarter than the average bear?
Rather than crawl the train, if I were the freight engineer or conductor, I would tell whatever boss suggested that idea, that he can jolly well call in a heliocopter or float a barge with a cherry picker, and I am confident that the union or if necesary any court of law would back me up. Unless of course the railroad could proove I was guilty of bad train handling that caused the broken nuckle.
The railroad needs those walkways as much as the train crew.
Murphy SidingWithout walkways, how did the bears and wolves get out on the bridge, and under the train?
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
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