Train Order...(not orders)

[dharmon]

What dictates the order in which freights are staged? If its a local, I understand that they would be sequenced as to the delivery and pick up schedule, but as far as types of cars and loading. For instance hazmat tank cars have to be placed at what point in the order as opposed to empty boxcars? I would presume that heavily laden cars would be forward of empties to reduce stress. Is this found in GCOR or do individual roads have guidance?

Also do manned cabooses or passenger cars have to behind freight? I've seen Amtraks with MHCs forward of the passengers but AutoTrain cars behind?

[dehusman]

Trains are built in blocking order. The blocks, groups of cars that will be handled the same by the train, are gathered together and placed in the train in the order required. It may be in station order, it may not be.
Then within the head end of the train the cars have to be arranged to comply with Federal hazmat placement rules.
Beyond that the railroad may have train make up or placement restrictions (long/short cars together, 20 loads behind 20 empties, so much tonnage behind an empty flat car, etc).

Severe grades may have some form of profile blocking, but 95% of the trains don't have to worry about it. The train placement restrictions are in each road's special instructions or general orders. The Hazmat instructions are in th special instructions or a separate hazmat placement pamphlet.

In a passenger train it depends on whether the cars have trainline electrical equipment. If the cars are equipped they go on the head end, if not they go on the rear.

Dave H.

[wabash1]

The only things that count on making up a freight train is haz-mat no closer than 6 cars from the head end at least seperated by 1 car from a refrigerated car or anything that can rupture a tank car ( cargo such as wheels anything above a bulk head flat that can shift ) and trailing tonnage. where the empties are opposed to loads have no prefrance in the make up of a train. if it is block in the order all the loads can be on the end and empties in the front. and this make can be a hassle on train handling. The NS says we make engineers for trains not trains for engineers, and some of the crappy trains i have run its 100% true.

[AltonFan]

In the steam era, there used to be rules requiring flammables to be as far from the locomotive as possible, and there were rules about where loaded stock cars could go to prevent harm to the animals.

[TH&B]

It is more random than you would think. Hazmat rules are #1, then comes destination. Weight realy only aplies if there is helper engines. Idealy heavier cars should be first but I see a mile long train of empties followed by 10 sinkers (heavily loaded cars), Nobody realy cares about wieght distribution in the end. Around here stock cars used to be near the head end near a crew but not near the acboose because the stink and slack! Passenger cars may have weaker frames and should be on the tail end unless special permision is granted.

[Anonymous]

MTY haz-mat cars can be placed no closer than the second car from locos or occupied caboose, and can be counted as cover for loaded haz-mat cars (which can be placed no closer than the 6th car from locos or occupied caboose).

On the KCS's ex-NL&G line, the train crew makes sure that most, if not all, of their loaded cars are on the head end of the train. They have to keep their train speed no faster than 10 MPH for 40 miles between Gibsland and Hodge, LA. Also , the terrain is so hilly, their train can go up AND down 2 or 3 hills at the same time, making for a rough ride if the loads are on the rear.

[wabash1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 440cuin

It is more random than you would think. Hazmat rules are #1, then comes destination. Weight realy only aplies if there is helper engines. Idealy heavier cars should be first but I see a mile long train of empties followed by 10 sinkers (heavily loaded cars), Nobody realy cares about wieght distribution in the end. Around here stock cars used to be near the head end near a crew but not near the acboose because the stink and slack! Passenger cars may have weaker frames and should be on the tail end unless special permision is granted.

What does helper engines haft to do with where the loads are?