Trackside Lounge: 1Q 2010 Edition

[AgentKid]

CShaveRR

I believe the cross-aiming was back in the days when the ditch-light concept was first invented (probably in the 1960s or 70s), and was expressly for the purpose of seeing a little further ahead on curves. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken on that.

 

Hi everybody. I only have a little time between other tasks but I thought I would post a few items from the thread I memtioned earlier about the ditchlights.

Here is the particular post I recalled from that thread:

I lived in Prince Rupert from 1957 through 1959. Those are my photos, of the SW1200RS and the three Geeps (also fitted with ditch lamps.)  As a teenager, hanging around the shops all my free time. While these lights have the appearance of being "removable" it is only because they were an "afterthought" add-on. The terrain on the Prince Rupert Extension DEMANDED lighting to allow the crew to "see around" corners for the frequent slides and, in the winter, washouts. Diesel took over both freight and passenger by the end of 1957, and all diesels were fitted out with these lamps, which were "focused" on the doors of the Engine Facility, crossing beams 50 to 100 feet in front of the power unit. Again, they had NOTHING TO DO with warning motorists (how many track crossings do you reccon there were between Jasper and Prince Rupert back in those days?) They had EVERYTHING TO DO with crew safety, just as running long nose forward. Crews hated the cab units, not only for the rough ride on branch line rail, zero protection when hitting a rock slide.  Robert in Port Townsend www.oil-electric.com.

He also has a picture of ditchlights from 1959:

I've posted a photograph of a cab unit with lights labeled.

Robert in Port Townsend

Here is the link to thw whole thread.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/160691.aspx?PageIndex=1

Now I have to get back to packing up my apartment as I am finally getting new flooring to replace the carpet damage I had from the pipe burst back in Novemeber. It is like moving without having to fill out change of address cards.

Bruce

 

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Your 1st photo shows an apparrent trackman-type looking closely at or working on the frog of that switch.  The 1st photo with the article shows the 'front' truck of the loco pretty far off the curved track.  Both photos are consistent with a conclusion that the cause was likely that the front truck 'picked the point of the frog'.  That likely because the guard rail on the curved side had come loose and moved too close to the frog to prevent that from happening as it should have.  As a result, the right wheels - as we look at the photo - of that truck went up the wrong side of the frog's flangeways, along the straight side - and the other/ left side wheels fell down off the rail and followed along it.  The action all stopped either when the left wheels hit the opposite rail and those axles were being essentially wedged apart by the diverging rails from the frog - of the engineer felt what was happening, and shut off and 'big-holed' the air.

Another possibility is that the same truck of the locomotive picked the switchpoint instead.  However, then I would have expected to see more evidence of damage between the switchstand and the frog, and again the engineer probably would have felt that happening and stopped the locomotive before it got as far as it is shown.

Common ?  Yes, unfortunately, I'd have to say that they are, especially on low-speed yard, branch, and side tracks and industrial spurs and the like, where turnouts and sharp curves are more numerous, but sppeds are low and train lengths are short, inspections are not as frequent, and the maintenance funds and resouces are spread a lot thinner, etc.  When I was in the track business in the Philadelphia area, I'll bet there was a least 1 a week like that someplace that we heard about.  My former colleague hndled 2 last week - 1 in new Jersey, adn 1 in the Poconos.  They are the railroad's equivalent of a 'fender-bender' - they tie up the main lines and locomotives and personnel, incur rerailing and track and equipment repair costs, but no one is injured and no hax-mats are released, etc., and life is back to normal in 6 to 12 hours or so. 

- Paul North.

[The Butler]

CNW 6000

The news paper in Ripon had a little story about it and a picture of the loco on the switch.
http://www.riponpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=20&ArticleID=472

Thanks for the link.  The photo in the article shows that there is definitely something wrong with the WSOR loco.!

 

I think there are a number of people who enjoy modern power.  I enjoy the variety.  SD40-2's were the C&NW engines of my youth, they bring back fond memories.  The "lightning stripe" G.E.'s of the '90's were fun to see the first time.  While watching the WC, it was cool to see the CP locos. show up.  The same once CN took over.  I think, for me, any train regardless of motive power or rolling stock is what I like. 

[CNW 6000]

The news paper in Ripon had a little story about it and a picture of the loco on the switch.
http://www.riponpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=20&ArticleID=472

[CNW 6000]

Today's excitement:
The Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR) HK job (Horicon-Oshkosh turn) put GP38 3802 on the ground (at least) and possibly a boxcar at the Scott St. crossing.

I heard of this from a friend but by the time I made it down that way the HK job was not at the site. It looks like the lead unit (3802) picked the switch by Alliance Laundry Systems. 3802 was set out in the middle of Alliance where it was hard to photograph (there seemed to be a constant PD presence near Alliance too...) but it appeared to be on rails and running (could make out heat blooms from exhaust).

 I did catch the HK job at Pickett and eventually a little south of Oshkosh. 3810 was leading long hood forward. They seemed to be going at reduced speed as only the ditch lights were working.

Are these kind of derailments common?

[tree68]

CNW 6000

Have you posted those pics of the Jordan before? 

Yes I have.  It was right after I took them, last summer, I think.

[CNW 6000]

James-
CN has been running the locos both NB and SB as the needs dictate.  I have seen SD40-2s, C44-9WLs ("Canadian Cab" -9Ws), and C40-8Ms like what I posted earlier.  The only units I've seen head SB and not return have been some DMIR SD40s and some WC GP40s.  We even get some "J" SDs up this way, GTW GPs, IC SDs and GPs, and more common (but getting more rare) WC GPs and SWs.  I am a bit of an anomoly in the railfan community I know because I like newer power more than the "older stuff" but still enjoy catching them when they come through.

Chris-
"These are great Mav, I should be a photographer!"  Couldn't resist...lol.  I do try to get him out if nothing else to start sharing the hobbies (that I can) I enjoy with him.  He's too little to really do much but watch and coo but the sounds of cars rolling by seem to relax him.  Perhaps it's the rhythmic nature of steel on steel...although I do stay extra mindful of safe distances and loud sounds when he's with me.  I use Windows Movie Maker to edit my videos and when happy with the results I usually delete the larger version (original).

Quentin/James/Bruce/Carl (Ditch Lights)-
I also recall reading somewhere that the crossed lights helped in the many curves that these units called home.  I have been tempted to attempt modeling them on some older HO scale models I have.

Larry-
Have you posted those pics of the Jordan before?  I thought they looked familar for some reason.  Either way, thanks for sharing them.  I think MC would approve, being the "Black Thumb" I've heard him to be.

Carl-
Glad to hear that your first day back went well.  I heard a rumor through the grapevine that BNSF may have or will be losing the contract for some of the coal trains that come through this area (Green Bay or Weston).  I have yet to see any UP power though...still BNSF GEVOs, ACEs and MACs.  The recalls have to help morale a little bit...at least the process is started on getting them back to work anyway.

[CShaveRR]

I believe the cross-aiming was back in the days when the ditch-light concept was first invented (probably in the 1960s or 70s), and was expressly for the purpose of seeing a little further ahead on curves. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken on that.

___________________

Larry, thanks for the Jordan Spreader shots. Lots of brute force needed to knock down trees like the one about to go in that first picture. Notice the quantity and strength of the struts holding those blades out there.

___________________

My return to work had little fanfare, but was a success, as far as I'm concerned. And we got good news today. All of the Chicago Service Unit yard employees who had been furloughed have been recalled. Can't tell whether they'll all be back, but they probably have to go through some class time (both rules and RCO) before they're actually back on the job. No permanent jobs reinstated yet, but they might be by the time these folks are ready again.

___________________

Rumor has it that all future hump conductors will have to first qualify as car retarder operators. Definitely a good move, as far as we're concerned ("we" being all three first-shift CROs). Maybe I can go through the eight-week qualification program about two months before I retire.

[Modelcar]

AgentKid

Quentin, you are correct. The upper two are also aimed across each other only less so. CP and CN ditchlights both have the less severe crossover effect on their single pair of lights.

......Thanks for the info.

[CopCarSS]

Good Afternoon All,

So...one of the new features of the K-x that I've been playing with is the abililty to shoot 720P HD videos. I've always said that I have enough trouble thinking about 1 frame at a time, let alone 24 frames per second, but I'm starting to get a bit addicted to this. The possibilities that are opening up are intriguing indeed. However, I've got a couple questions for any of you that may know more about "moving pictures" than I do.

1) The K-x shoots movies as AVIs and they are ridiculously bloated. I'm uploading around 3-4 minutes of footage of my reef tank to Flickr right now, and those 3-4 minutes are over 750 MB. At that size, I'm going to need a LOT of room on my hard drive if I plan to keep shooting movie clips. Is there a better file type, and a simple way to convert them?

2) I know Macs come with a simple but usable video editing program. Is there something similar available cheaply in the PC realm?

Thanks for any and all help!

[tree68]

Paul_D_North_Jr

Larry, that BCR 642 in your photo above looks like it's out picking grapes in the vineyards up that way !

EDIT:  On a second, closer look, after noticing that strut leading towards the photographer, with the toothed 'rack' in the near end - Was the BCR unit pushing a flanger of some kind, or a Jordan spreader or similar equipment ?  The deck of the car is much too high above the trucks to be regular equipment, and there seems to be a tank of some kind above the substantial-looking frame and below that deck.

- Paul North.

Good eyes! 

MWHA 642 is indeed pushing a Jordan Spreader:

They were clearing trackside brush in anticipation of storing cars on the old Carthage and Adirondack line to Newton Falls.  The brush was so close to the tracks that it would lift cut levers.   Less of a problem pushing in than when the cars were pulled back out, but a problem, nonetheless.

When I first got to the spot where I took the pictures, the spreader was still about a quarter mile from the crossing.  I recall seeing one larger tree quiver, then fall to the oncoming wing of the spreader. 

After they passed:

[AgentKid]

Modelcar

Double ditch lights, and it appears to me, the bottom two are aimed across each other....{Directed to opposite side of the track}.

Quentin, you are correct. The upper two are also aimed across each other only less so. CP and CN ditchlights both have the less severe crossover effect on their single pair of lights.

According to a thread on the forum last fall, this technique was invented/perfected at the CNR diesel shop in Prince George, BC in the late fifties. BCRail has had the two pairs of lights with the severe crossover effect on the lower pair for decades now. I'm going to have to look for pictures of diesels when BCRail was British Columbia Railway, or Pacific Great Eastern, to see when all this ditchlight business started with them.

Bruce

 

[Modelcar]

CNW 6000

One thing I always think is neat regarding BCR locos is the double ditch lights.

 

Double ditch lights, and it appears to me, the bottom two are aimed across each other....{Directed to opposite side of the track}.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Larry, that BCR 642 in your photo above looks like it's out picking grapes in the vineyards up that way !

EDIT:  On a second, closer look, after noticing that strut leading towards the photographer, with the toothed 'rack' in the near end - Was the BCR unit pushing a flanger of some kind, or a Jordan spreader or similar equipment ?  The deck of the car is much too high above the trucks to be regular equipment, and there seems to be a tank of some kind above the substantial-looking frame and below that deck.

- Paul North.

[CopCarSS]

Nice shots, Dan. It's really cool that you're getting Aedan trackside, too. You can never start too early! I don't have many early childhood memories, but I do remember getting excited about seeing "Tiger Striped" units on the BN when we'd go to Eola. And driving over the "old rickety" bridge that used to span the middle of the yard. Both of which were gone fairly early in my lifetime.

[The Butler]

CNW 6000

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Carl-
Actually those shots were taken in the city of Neenah, WI.  The first one was just south of the Winchester Rd. crossing.  The subsequent shots came from along Harrison St. near the Breezewood Exit from US41.  No US45 shots this time...but I plan on going out on Sunday so we'll see what I can find.

Bruce-
Glad your hand is feeling better.  Aren't injuries fun?  When I first saw 8868 I was actually excited because I misread the numbers and thought it was 8888 or one of the newest SD70M-2s in CN's fleet.  I'll have to check my notes but I think this is my 50th such loco I've stolen the soul from...hehe.

James/Larry-
Yes tree68 is correct the unit is a BCRail C40-8M (I believe).  I have seen this one before (last August) but here is more of a roster shot of that engine.  One thing I always think is neat regarding BCR locos is the double ditch lights.

Thanks, guys.  CNW 6000, do you know if they are running the BCR locos. to Chicago?  I used to railfan the WC at Willow Rd. in Prospect Heights, IL.  It was a good place with a bicycle trail under the power lines paralleling the tracks.

[CShaveRR]

Bruce, CRGX 7345 is a vegetable-oil tank car. Cargill does have some cars capable of being used for ethanol (originally intended for methanol), but their fleets are basically for corn sweeteners, vegetable oil, and tallow.

Glad your hand is healing. It's probably been happening all along, and this is the first time you realize that progress has been made. I get that a bit in my own healing processes.

I leave for work shortly, first time in nearly a week. I hope that place has healed a little!

[CNW 6000]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Carl-
Actually those shots were taken in the city of Neenah, WI.  The first one was just south of the Winchester Rd. crossing.  The subsequent shots came from along Harrison St. near the Breezewood Exit from US41.  No US45 shots this time...but I plan on going out on Sunday so we'll see what I can find.

Bruce-
Glad your hand is feeling better.  Aren't injuries fun?  When I first saw 8868 I was actually excited because I misread the numbers and thought it was 8888 or one of the newest SD70M-2s in CN's fleet.  I'll have to check my notes but I think this is my 50th such loco I've stolen the soul from...hehe.

James/Larry-
Yes tree68 is correct the unit is a BCRail C40-8M (I believe).  I have seen this one before (last August) but here is more of a roster shot of that engine.  One thing I always think is neat regarding BCR locos is the double ditch lights.

[tree68]

The Butler

Is that a red, white and blue loco. on the head end of the first two pics.?

Yes.  Former BC (British Columbia) Rail.

For paint reference purposes only - this one's an ALCO, currently running on the MA&N.  It is a movie star, however.   It was in the forgettable movie "Atomic Train."

[The Butler]

Great pictures, I like how the red front pops in the picture at Kampo Rd.  Is that a red, white and blue loco. on the head end of the first two pics.?

[AgentKid]

Dan, nice pictures. I thought it was interesting that in the picture at Kampo Rd., you can still discern the difference between the flat black under the windshield and the glossy black on the sides. That should last only a few more days before they are both flat grayish black!

I see by the reporting mark on the tank car ahead of the mid-train DPU that it is owned by Cargill. I didn't realize that they were into petrochemicals as well as agricultural products.

Well, today is the first day my hand has started feeling better and it is working better as well.

And Carl, you know the rule, once someone in the room eats sauerkraut, everyone has to eat sauerkraut!

Bruce

 

[CShaveRR]

Nice story and pictures, Dan! I've always admired that stretch of tracks (both main lines) along U.S. 45 near you. Some of those shots were somehow taken around there, right?

I'm more of a freight-car freak, as you know, but the mid-train power would have grabbed me, too.

Has Aedan shown any signs of excitement when you get close to the tracks yet? I was surprised how much my younger daughter knew about our route on our then-weekly trips to LaGrange, learned while she was still strapped in her infant seat. She'd get more animated when I'd make the turn toward the tracks in Western Springs.

[CNW 6000]

Finally made it trackside today...wasn't there long but it was (for me) productive!

BCOL 4625 made an appearance heading to Green Bay.  It arrived in Neenah around noon and finally was heading north after about 3 hours of work in the yard.

It was creeping forward and finally the hogger (thanks for the sweet horn show!) must've gotten the signal he was waiting for and throttled up.  The pair of GEs (and the WC GP) on the head end were all online and sounded great.

The train was all loads and fairly long which was nice to see.

We headed back to the yard and were surprised by a very quiet SD70M-2 leading a mixed sulphur/manifest train south.  CN 8868 sure looked new!

We jumped back in the truck and flew ahead of the train.  Finally catching it at Kampo Rd.

Noticing that the sulphur tanks were loaded and seeing manifest cars coming we were about to head home (getting late and poor light for shooting) when we heard a rumble.  Could it be?  Yep!  Mid-train helpers!  An SD75I and another SD70M-2 working awfully hard as I'm guessing the hogger on the head end was throttling up as he cleared the south end of the Neenah Yard.

In the end, nothing spectacular (being a fan of GEVOs myself) or particularly rare but it was nice to have an hour or so to kill and watch some trains roll with my son (safely warm and sleeping in the SUV).

[CShaveRR]

Just a test: sauerkraut.

Shouldn't be a censorship problem when it's spelled correctly.

I thought about going to the Diner with this little tidbit, but I'm not hungry, cyber-hungry, or even pseudo-hungry.

And this is as close to the forbidden subjects as I wish to come.

[CShaveRR]

Next payday, my charity money will be going to the American Red Cross for Haiti earthquake relief, via the Union Pacific, who will match it.. I hope other UP employees will check out the possibilities--several other charities besides the Red Cross are also eligible for the match.

[The Butler]

Um...I thought you meant...um...it wasn't good...um...because you only saw her tracks, not her!  Yeah, that's what I thought! 

[CShaveRR]

Now, James...

I followed up that sentence with "That's never good." Had Mookie been hiding or wandering around my tower, I would have made sure she became warm and well-fed. And I would consider that very good!

[The Butler]

CShaveRR

snip... but the last two Wednesdays I returned to work to find Cat tracks around my tower. ...snip

SO, that's where Mookie was hiding!

[CShaveRR]

It's worth every penny you put into it!

Pat and I are back, after only about 45 minutes on the road. Metra performed flawlessly--when we got off the westbound train in West Chicago, they were announcing the arrival of our eastbound, and it came into view before the westbound fully disappeared.

Westbound, we met two manifests staging, one at Finley Road and one at Wheaton. After leaving West Chicago, we found that our outbound scoot had been leading a parade of sorts--we encountered a pair of westbound freights before we got to Wheaton. The eastbound freight at Wheaton (QNPSKP, I think) was still there when we went through, but the one that had been at Finley Road (MDMPR, probably) had moved on in to Proviso. (The second one came past us as we were driving off.)

The reason for our trip was to look for new footings for the signal bridges that are going to be installed on the line, allegedly in connection with the crossovers that are also scheduled to be put in. We found seven sites between Lombard and West Chicago. Surprisingly to me, they all seemed to be some distance apart--I would have expected a couple of pairs to be close together, between which all of the crossover switches will be installed. One signal bridge--at Wheaton--is already up. It has signals mounted on it, suggesting that the crossover might be east of it. There's a pole-mounted signal at the same site, for the spur into the Wheaton Lumber Company (just about the only industry left along the line between Proviso and West Chicago).

____________________

I got a call from the railroad at 3:45 this morning (which I ignored--seniority rank has its privileges!), saying that they were putting a day shift on for the hump today (there normally isn't a first shift on Tuesday). So either the business is returning, or they had a disaster sometime. I trust that it's the former, of course, but the last two Wednesdays I returned to work to find Cat tracks around my tower. That's never good.

[CopCarSS]

I think one of these times I find myself back in Chicagoland I need to take more train rides. Thus far, the only Metra route I've ridden on is the one the BNSF line.