WMNB4THRTLBTW, the fourth try was the charm!!
I once watched what I took to be an old-head CSX conductor take 5 tries to get a hitch (20 cars from the engines, on a downgrade, with TTX flats). That knowledge has served my ego well when I've gotten up to try #3....
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...
Thanks, Larry! That does help me feel a bit better! It's not that I'm a quitter, it's just that I felt like I should give up the seat if I couldn't do it. I should also mention again that we have to often hitch around a curve with our vintage cars. It makes for some fun times, although usually, not so much!!
Nance-CCABW/LEI
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --Will Rogers
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right! --unknown
Nance, I'd never blame an engineer for the number of times it took to make a joint (there might be a reason for blame if he hit too hard and derailed something, but otherwise, he has no control over how the drawbars line up).
___________________
Got a nice compliment yesterday, when my old hump conductor told me that he wished I was back. I don't know why he'd wish that I'd have to give up a retirement that's growing on me, but maybe it means that I'll reach legendary status at Proviso for the right reasons!
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)
Thanks, Carl. That makes me feel better, too! Yes, sometimes, those buggars just won't meet up and play nice no matter what, so they tell me!! I've been there for a few showdowns.
My one instructor told me, there are times he's tempted to go down on the ground and try to line them up himself before he backs into that hitch!! I guess that is tempting, at least after X-number of tries!
Congrats on that nice compliment also.
Just don't try what a friend of mine did a number of years ago - attempting to line up the coupler just before they connect with your foot. You'd never know it to see him walk now, though...
Oh, he's lucky he can walk now!! That's what sticks/poles, etc are for!!
I was happy to have caught a quick glimpse of an E/B CSX today! I didn't even know they ran on that stretch of track!! I was in a parking lot but I have no idea if this was a regular run for them or not. I can always hope.
You'd be more likely to hurt yourself trying to line up a drawbar with a heavy enough stick or pole (especially if it's the one that's moving) than you would with your foot. Not that I'm recommending anything other than the rule-endorsed stop, back to the proper distance before going between cars to adjust, then hoping you've got it... I've seen the kick-it-over method employed often...always without injury, but rarely with success.
Well then, I guess it remains 'try it until you get it!' Actually, in my case, it's the 'do what the rule book tells you to!!!' 'Cause if not, you won't have to worry about it anyway! You'll be playing in the middle of somebody else's road, if you're lucky!!
Would a wood wedge inserted into the draft gear/ carrier between its sidewall and the coupler shank be of any help in keeping the coupler over to the side where needed for proper alignment to make the joint when the cars are on a curve ? Does the vibration during the move tend to re-center it ? Or is this more a problem of just getting it in the right position before starting - and that's just a matter of "trial and error" ?
See this photo (not mine) for a good illustration: http://www.twincitiesdailyphoto.com/2007/train-01.jpg
(It's about the middle of this web page, which is also pretty interesting: http://www.twincitiesdailyphoto.com/2007_08_01_archive.html )
See also the explanations and videos on this web page on coupling and uncoupling from the San Diego Railroad Museum, at: http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/couplers/index.html
- Paul North.
It's basically trial-and-error, Paul. Once a coupler is positioned for a coupling move, it tends to stay there. Locomotive drawbars don't move very much, and all the wedges in the world won't help that.
There are times when drawbars are difficult or impossible to slide over. We used to use a "drawbar straightener", a length of cable with pins at the end that dropped into the vertical holes in the knuckles--a gentle stretch, with knuckles closed, would pull both drawbars into line with each other, after which the device could be removed, knuckle(s) opened, and the joint made. Evidently UP thought this CNW-used device was unsafe (you couldn't separate the cars the requisite distance with it), so I haven't seen them. Yet I can think of no accidents caused by them, or derailments.
Good afternoon! We had an overcast day with temperatures in the middle 60s--still a chance of rain. I was wearing a good green shirt, but it didn't keep me (and Pat) from going out to pick up our tuned-up bicycles. Pat had other chores to do, so she got to take her bike home with the car. I, on the other hand, put about ten miles on mine, checking out the hobby shop, the traffic at Elmhurst, the three intermediate signal installations (maintainers and lookouts at all three) and the control point (they keep busy, but I don't ever see any progress!).
Trains: had plenty of them, and most of them were coal cars going in one direction or the other (last week I didn't see any coal trains). Three stack trains and a manifest were in the mix, as well as the usual scoot schedule. So it was about a dozen trains in a little more than two hours...not too shabby!
! DANGER ! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING
Got a chance to see (and hear) the ATWS signals in action at Elmhurst, when both scoots arrive simultaneously. It may be a nice, cautious approach to grade-crossing safety, but I have two problems with them:
1. They don't stop until both trains have cleared the crossing, even if the second train is there well after the first one is gone. Right there you have a chance of complacency, figuring that the one train tripping the warning is all that's around--with three tracks, it's possible that a third train might be showing up. The alarm should stop when all trains in the area have occupied the island circuit of the crossing in question.
2. And this one is personal...I don't regard the presence of another train as dangerous. Just for railfans, they should have them flashing
WOOOOOT! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING
ALL RIGHT! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING
YIPPEEEE! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING
YEAH, BABY! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING
The good news is that our warmer weather has made many stretches of the bike path passable--I can ride along it without sinking too deeply or giving myself a clay-mud stripe up the middle of my back!
CShaveRR [snipped] 2. And this one is personal...I don't regard the presence of another train as dangerous. Just for railfans, they should have them flashing WOOOOOT! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING ALL RIGHT! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING YIPPEEEE! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING YEAH, BABY! ANOTHER TRAIN COMING
CShaveRR It's basically trial-and-error, Paul. Once a coupler is positioned for a coupling move, it tends to stay there. Locomotive drawbars don't move very much, and all the wedges in the world won't help that. There are times when drawbars are difficult or impossible to slide over. We used to use a "drawbar straightener", a length of cable with pins at the end that dropped into the vertical holes in the knuckles--a gentle stretch, with knuckles closed, would pull both drawbars into line with each other, after which the device could be removed, knuckle(s) opened, and the joint made. Evidently UP thought this CNW-used device was unsafe (you couldn't separate the cars the requisite distance with it), so I haven't seen them. Yet I can think of no accidents caused by them, or derailments.
And, Carl, congratulations on being asked to return to work; at least one of the men with whom you worked appreciated you.
Johnny
Paul_D_North_Jr And then maybe tell us what that "Another train" is, too - a 'scoot', intermodal, manifest freight, unit coal, etc., along with its schedule number or symbol, the locomotive types, numbers, and the engineer's first name . . .
And then maybe tell us what that "Another train" is, too - a 'scoot', intermodal, manifest freight, unit coal, etc., along with its schedule number or symbol, the locomotive types, numbers, and the engineer's first name . . .
Good one Paul!
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
Johnny, I suspect that he knows the futility of asking me to come back...I can't, without jeopardizing my pension.
However, I'm pretty sure that he's the one that deserves congratulating, for finally "seeing the light" and realizing how good he had it when I was around.
Your other question is a good one. But I have no idea if it can be answered. I'm not even sure that that's why we don't have them any more, but it makes sense, when taken with everything else.
Today, while out watching trains, I saw some new three-unit stack cars from two different builders. They're the first new stack cars for TTX documented in the past three years (documentation courtesy of fellow freight-car freaks). The cars I saw were part of two different 750-car orders (that's 2,250 tubs!). Both batches have well lengths of 53 feet.
tree68 I once watched what I took to be an old-head CSX conductor take 5 tries to get a hitch (20 cars from the engines, on a downgrade, with TTX flats). That knowledge has served my ego well when I've gotten up to try #3....
Long drawheads that are freshly lubed/greased are always the worst. The smallest touch and they slide over quicker than a jackrabbit on speed trying to walk across a frozen lake.
There's been plenty of times it took me 3, 4, 5... tries to couple something up. Almost always on a curve. Sometimes with a pin that does not want to drop. But we all have our little secrets to get that hitch that are best not printed.
In other news, I passed my book-o-rules today. I am once again qualified to be a RRer this year. Yaaay me. I think. Maybe. Meh.
Post #1999. Hmm.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
To every engineer, "kick 'em" was taken a bit differently, depending on the situation. I slightly surprised a senior conductor one afternoon, when he said "kick" I yanked the throttle to notch 6, and grabbed a touch of sand. The SD20 made a nice smoke show for the motorists sitting at the crossing we were blocking. Sometimes I miss those WSOR SD20s.....
Had a chance earlier in the week to parallel the NS from Roanoke all the way to Suffolk, VA, on US 460. Nice ride, could use a few rest areas for trucks, but seeing the yard at Crewe, VA was cool.
Counting down the days until March 31st, when my sister and I sign the papers on a house we are buying, and move into same. Both of us are looking forward to it.....
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
Come April 1, your eyes will be opened, Randy! Congratulations and good luck, nonetheless!
(Congratulations to you, too, Z-man, on the rule test! I used to sweat those things out beforehand, then was always the first one done, and usually with the best score. The class leader for my last three or four tests made the mistake of saying "Great job, for a CRO!" to me only once.)
And let me be the first to congratulate Zug on reaching 2000. I think in the old days that rated another star. Doesn't matter if you're not quite there yet--RSVP here, and you're in!
I envy your trip along the NS, Randy. We'll be in and around Roanoke for a day or so next month. I hope to get to the museums, but we have a tight schedule in the area, and I want to see some trains! Roanoke for us will be a resting spot between Charlotte and Hagerstown, along I-81. We'll be going to places like Clifton Forge (C&OHS headquarters) and Staunton (quilt shop inside the old C&O depot); Hagerstown is just where we turn the corner and head to Cumberland.
Ah, yes, rules (and I think I need air brakes this year, too). We'll be doing ours in April.
Some major changes in things confounded a few people a year or so ago, but they were all back with us a short time later.
Carl - just remember that it's pronounced "Stanton..."
It's too bad your schedule is tight through there. At Roanoke you're only about an hour from Appomatox Courthouse and the historical site there, and just south of Charlottesville is Monticello, which may not be railroad related, but is definitely worth the visit.
Enroute to Lynchburg (on the way to Appomatox) you'd be following old N&W, although I still haven't figured out where Boaz was.
You'll find both the Link Museum and the VMT worth the visit. Walk between the two and check out the interactive displays along the way.
Thanks for the info, Larry (I went to Monticello as a kid). As a C&O fan, I knew very well how to pronounce Staunton properly (and will make sure Pat hasn't forgotten). Thanks also for the tip on walking between the museums. I hope we can do that. We've got two nights in Roanoke, but much (most?) of the intervening day will be spent at the C&OHS Archives in Clifton Forge.
Got out on the bike again today, for a round trip to Wheaton (12 miles). It was intermodal day on UP today, seemingly. Saw UP 2002 (one of the Olympic units) on a westbound intermodal, and the remaining Two Amigos (CNW 8646 and 8701) on the West Chicago local. No signs of the control point slated to go in at Wheaton, nor of the pedestrian tunnel at that site (replacing the grade crossing), or the pedestrian overpass in downtown Wheaton. The new overpass west of town hasn't been opened yet, but is coming along. The former CA&E bridge over the UP and a couple of Wheaton streets (used as the Illinois Prairie Path) is reopened after its rebuilding, done in connection with the other bridge project.
Hello, happy Saturday! It is indeed, as I now have a fully functioning computer, complete with sound! In that vein, can anyone please tell me how to find that NS ad on YouTube? I'd appreciate it!
Hi, Nance - Well, congrats !
Not sure which ad you mean - but here's the link to NS' "Television Commercials & Video" webpage, which has many of them:
http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Media/TV-Video/
Hope you can find what you're looking for there . . .
Thanks, Paul! (I finally got $$ enough for a laptop; now if I can just learn to get along with the Touchpad, I'll be good!) Sorry, I should have been a bit more specific; I'm looking for that country song video, probably from last year, I think it was. I still can't find it yet.
Got it!!! YEA!!! It's called "Raise 'Em Up!" Thanks for the help!! Have a great weekend.
WMNB4THRTL ...now if I can just learn to get along with the Touchpad,...
...now if I can just learn to get along with the Touchpad,...
The touchpad can be a pain. Since my laptop is mostly 'for the road,' it's not as much of a problem as it could be. Nonetheless, I got a wireless mouse for it for those times when a mouse is the better solution.
tree68 WMNB4THRTL: ...now if I can just learn to get along with the Touchpad,... The touchpad can be a pain. Since my laptop is mostly 'for the road,' it's not as much of a problem as it could be. Nonetheless, I got a wireless mouse for it for those times when a mouse is the better solution.
WMNB4THRTL: ...now if I can just learn to get along with the Touchpad,...
DeggestyBy the way, you say "on the road;" do you use your computer while driving?
Well, yes, and no. What I meant was when I'm not at the house.
On the other hand, the map program on the laptop will interface with my GPS, and that big screen is a lot easier to see than those little GPSs that stick to your windshield... I don't often use that, though.
Thanks, guys. I have a couple of questions:
1. After the engr puts the train into Emerg and stops, does it take the full time to build back up the air again, as long as when we first start up, or less time? Thankfully, I've never had to 'go there' yet and I hope and pray I never have to!!
2. I found a website with train horns & whistles. Does every horn/whistle have a unique sound? Every one I heard sounded different, which surprised me a bit.
EDIT: Also, does an air horn draw off the air brake system air? If so, if engr had to use air horn a lot, such as a number of crossings in close proximity, or as a warning, could it draw off too much air?
Thanks, as always!
Hi, me again. I've been watching You Tube on my new machine here (SO awesome to have sound!!) and I saw 3 videos of trains with 12, yes twelve, locos in the front. It was NOT a long train at all. Would they have been moving them to another location, possibly, or what?
Nance, an engineer would be best qualified to answer your questions about emergency applications and where the horns' air comes from; hope Jeff or somebody shows up to help.
As for the varieties, I've been led to believe that horn manufacturers offer their individual horns (ironically called bells), and those can be combined to form the chords one commonly hears. There were at one time two major manufacturers of horns, Leslie and Nathan. Leslie made bells that were shaped more like a cornet (enlarging gradually from back to front), while Nathans had a cylindrical tube that flared at the front, like a trumpet. That probably made a difference in the sound as well.
The orientation of the horns (which ones point forward, which backwards) also has an effect on what the listener hears.
Back in the early 1970s, Extra 2200 South had a fine article about the commonly-produced diesel horn combinations and how they sounded. The chords were shown in this article. A friend of mine back then (who grew up to be an Amtrak official out in California) had an electric organ at his house, and made some very convincing reproductions of some of the horns in that article. (I'd love to see a revision of the article that would include some of the horns more commonly heard these days!)
And you ought to see or hear the people whose hobby is collecting these horns! I guess they have regular gatherings where they all come with their horns and air supplies and sound off (usually somewhere like an Appalachian valley).
I'm pretty sure the horns don't draw air directly from the braking supply, but I do know that they can set the compressor to running at times!
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