ModelcarDouble 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
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
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.
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.
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.
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...
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!
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
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.
Quentin
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)
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.
Dan
CNW 6000Have you posted those pics of the Jordan before?
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?
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 6000The 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
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.
James
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.
CShaveRRI 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.
AgentKidIt is like moving without having to fill out change of address cards.
Trip report: 1.21.10
Started by getting a reliable tip that a loaded coal train with BNSF power was heading my way. After packing up my son and finding batteries for the camera we managed to get ahead of the train just north of Oshkosh, WI at the Sherman Rd. crossing (MP 180.41). Power was SD70MAC and an ES44AC. Hogger put on quite a horn show!
I saw (via binocs) that this train had to take the siding at South Dixie...and that I could possibly catch a few meets so I was all set to scoot north to see what was coming down the main...then lo and behold...a DPU! A very shiny SD70ACe. Note to self: wait for the whole train to pass before packing up camera!
After jumping back in the truck I scooted north 2 crossings just in time to see the DPU head into the siding. Seeing nothing heading SB (and dark approach-lit signals; Thanks CN!) I gamboled and decided to jump to North Dixie (south end of Neenah Yard. When I got there the power was just rolling up to Kampo Rd. (near the Breezewood exit of US41) and the crew got out to stretch and inspect some soon-to-arrive trains. Nice folks to chat with. We didn't have to wait long. CN 5727 (SD75I) came rolling by within about 20 minutes. 3 other engines online in the consist including another SD75I, one C44-9W, and one ES44DC.
About 30 minutes after that...here comes another one! CN 5721 (SD75I) came south with two other engines in the consist including another BCOL C40-8M and a C44-9W.
The coal train then got clearance to head to the north end of the Neenah Controlled Siding where they could expect a light to head north "shortly". I took that to mean no more meets...so I hopped back in the truck and proceeded to backtrack the way I came. Nearing the crossing at South Dixie I looked right and yep, you guessed it...another train. Due to my fumble fingers I pressed the power button instead of the shutter! I was able to get one shot of the train (a potash extra) that's closer than I normally like. It was led by CN 2564 (C44-9W) and had another -9W and an SD75I in the consist. There's something neat about unit trains I think...
Not bad for about two hours worth of fun and another unplanned trip. Hopefully the weather cooperates Sunday and I can go again. 3x in one week is the most I've done since Aedan was born!
Hey all....
Heard about the crossing incident on the Chicago traffic report today, Carl, as I was checking weather for the weekend, should either be screaming through downtown chicago, or running past the hump on 294 sometime tomorrow, on my way to our Richfield, WI, facility.
One of these years I need to make a vacation trip to the Roanoke area and into West Virginia, went past the NS Roanoke shops Thursday as a stack train was headed north, had to pay more attention to the road, though, as I was in the middle of an ice storm, with a heavy beer load.
When I was younger, I used to love sitting by the WC mainline at night, listening to the big V20-645Es in full song near Burlington. I really miss that sound.....
Randy Vos
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
It's never good to get a phone call at 3 AM...one of my staff (opener) is in the hospital so I get to go in for an extra shift today. Once again...Aedan gets more sleep than his dad does. The only positive is it's OT for me as I hit 40 hours yesterday at 2 PM. Hi ho....
Carl; the18000ft. train has caused much intrest. The web and newsprint has said much about its' travels. However , nothing was said about the " put together" . Do you have an idea how many humpers was needed and the hours to do this feat ?? Oh and dont' forget the (paper shufflers) headaches.
Respectfully, Cannonball
Y6bs evergreen in my mind
Carl; thank you for your insight to my question. I have never worked in railroading, but just watching switching operations on the Pennsy yard in east Dayton Ohio 60+ yrs. past. For a few yrs. we lived in Kingston Ohio whare I saw more than a few N&W coal drags up from Portsmouth with over 100 hoppers . There was no problem with the making that train. That is why I was curious about the Dallas monster. This old hide did not mean " paper shufflers " as a snide remark . There was no computers back then. Just wondering if all the cars in the yard was going to the long train. The east Dayton yard Lead to switch8 with the creak and pop frog is how I got screen name. Respectfully , Cannonball P.S. <how I got the nickname is another storyLOL
CShaveRRWilly, you can post your comments here without fear of persecution!
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
CShaveRRMy 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.
Carl, that's good news, both of your health, and of the recall. The UP seems to be taking steps to be prepared for an increase in traffic and not have to overstretch the qualified workforce when the increase does come.
I feel better today, after a night at home. It's easier to get out the bed here than it was in the hospital. A home care nurse is coming this afternoon to give me instruction in managing my new way of life, and there will be more visits (I do not know for how long).
I hope to catch up on all my email in two or three days.
Johnny
CShaveRRInteresting weather we've been having, reportedly thanks to El Nino sending those storms at the Pacific Coast. Willy, you can post your comments here without fear of persecution!
Willy, you can post your comments here without fear of persecution!
Thanks Carl! I appreciate it. Although, I have a feeling that the kitty is lurking, waiting to punish me, no matter where I go!
Willy
Went out trackside today. Caught another potash movement (B786). Unfortunately by the time light was poor for photography, CN decided to bless me with 2 SB movements followed by 2 NB movements. Trains seem to be getting longer both directions, and there are definately more loads going both ways.
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