Whatever direction the timetable says. (in case there is any argument)
(And timetable north can be ANY geographic direction, so be linear)
F denotes forward or front of locomotive or power cars in MU sets and when that cab is used by the engineer all moves are determined by that designation as to forward and backward moves. Period. However, when an engineer may change cabs in a lash up, he and the conductor must communicate the change and agree to the language to used. F is always forward when a unit is used in switching yards, etc. Short hood is the norm for F however, the Southern and thus some NS units will show F on the long hood. But unless otherwise authorized or noted, F is the forward direction and controls the direction of moves.
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CShaveRRIf you're on an engine with a train, you're at the front of the train. The conductor doesn't really care which way the engine is pointed. He'll say something like "take 'em ahead" or "shove back". If he's giving lantern signals, they'll be in reference to his train, not necessarily the engine (however I'm sure that if the lead locomotive on the train weren't facing forward, the engineer might wish to resolve that problem).
Thanks. There was a string of flat cars spotted at the team dock. The locomotive was sitting on the main line. This was the first time I ever saw a BNSF locomotive long hood forward... LION walked up onto the team track, stepped onto the flat car and took his pictures. The crew quietly waited while I took my pictures, and as soon as I stepped off the flat car I heard an outraged locomotive horn from the locomotive attached to my flat car, and he pulled it away before I knew what was happening. Maybe they were using more than one locomotive for their work.
Ergo, it is always happening down by the tracks. A train at any time on any track.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
If you're on an engine with a train, you're at the front of the train. The conductor doesn't really care which way the engine is pointed. He'll say something like "take 'em ahead" or "shove back". If he's giving lantern signals, they'll be in reference to his train, not necessarily the engine (however I'm sure that if the lead locomotive on the train weren't facing forward, the engineer might wish to resolve that problem).In a yard, a radio call will largely depend on the situation, and will probably use the words "pull", "drag", "shove", or "take 'em out" (one of those is not like the others!). The yard crew will (or should) know which way their engine is facing, but saying "shove ahead" or "shove back" might be academic. Lantern signals in the yard, however, would definitely be given relative to the orientation of the locomotive. And, yes, the conductor would have to know if and when the engineer changed ends for controlling his consist.Yip-Yip--Yowl--Yipe...blecch (I'm a sick puppy)
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)
The Rules states that crews will agree before starting the day's work or whatever, what definitions, words, signs, etc. they will use so as to avoid confusion.
OK, LION *knows* that the end of the locomotive with the "F" painted on it is "forward". The engineer places the reverser in forward and the engine will chase that little "F" the whole way to the next depot.
But on the ground, that was the question over on the Model Railrodaer fourm. Of course they were fretting over how to wire a locomotive so that they will both run in the same direction. But naturally the LION went beyond that to explain the meaning and purpose of that little "F".
So now the conductor is standing on the ground, he can see the "F" and he can even point to the engineer the direction that he wants to move.
But suppose the conductor is now at the back of the train and is talking on his trusty Motorola. What does he say. "Move Forward." what if the locomotive is facing the wrong way. Does he say move east or west? Maybe the sun is down and the engineer cannot see which way is east or west. I suppose he can say "Pull" or "Push".
And of course if it were a single crewman operating with a remote control, the "FWD" would correspond to the little "F" on the front of the engine and not be relevant at all to which way the train will move in relationship to the switch in the front of the train.
How do you do it?
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