http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/blogs/frank-n-wilner/bnsf-smart-seek-historic-crew-consist-revision.html
I was hoping to be retired, or close to it, before they went to one person crews. Now I'm not so sure. At least working on lines equipped with PTC.
Jeff
Drones fixing a broken knuckle or stuck brakes - interesting concept!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
If they can have a roving conductor, they can have a roving knuckle man. Some have said that PTC is a road that ultimately leads to unmanned drone trains.
BaltACD Drones fixing a broken knuckle or stuck brakes - interesting concept!
Johnny
Deggesty BaltACD Drones fixing a broken knuckle or stuck brakes - interesting concept! Drones certainly are versatile, aren't they?
Just equip the drone with an on-board repair robot. Hey, if they can rig a small tracked vehicle with an arm to de-fuse IEDs, it should be able to swap out knuckles.
Alternatively, the repair robot could be carried on the train, along with a full spectrum of minor repair parts...
Chuck
UlrichI'm guessing here.. but if the engineer is the only one left on the train the task of fixing a broken knuckle would fall to him/her. That would seem reasonable to me... its probably not something that happens every 20 minutes or even everyday.
Good way to keep the mainline blocked a few hours.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
UlrichWhy.. are engineers slower moving than conductors? Either way someone has to hoof it to fix the problem... both are on two legs. What does the engineer normally do when the conductor is fixing the problem?
First there's the issue of train securement. Then with an engineer, you can bring the knuckle to you, and not have to take it a walk for a mile.
PS. Before we start with the roving utility concept, remember there are many places that are not accessible by road.
I see lots of new business opportunities ahead as railroads fundamentally transform themselves.
Smart alec answer….Run the locomotive.
23 17 46 11
Ok,
Not trying to be a smart alec this time,…
Think about what has happened and what needs to be done to “fix” the problem.
The train has a broken knuckle half way back, has come apart and gone into emergency.
Both types of knuckles and spare knuckle pins are stored on the locomotive, along with a spare air hose and wrench.
Knuckles weigh between 90 and 110 lbs, each.
Now, go from there…
"No evidence has surfaced that a second person in the locomotive cab contributes to a more-safe operation, while evidence exists that the second person in the cab can cause a safety hazard."
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
schlimm "No evidence has surfaced that a second person in the locomotive cab contributes to a more-safe operation, while evidence exists that the second person in the cab can cause a safety hazard."
Who said that? They are full of crap.
The article said that. Take your issue up with the magazine of you believe that to be false..
UlrichWhoever wrote the article said it.
They're still full of crap.
And the piece doesn't specify who made that statement. I hope it wasn't some 'official' with the Office of Management and Budget. They probably know as much about railroading as my cat does.
Let's let the non-railroaders figure all the moves required to fix a broken knuckle?
No professional help please - and don't hurt yourselves laughing!
Think you'd want to fly in an airliner that has only one pilot? The first officer is there for a safety factor as well as to share the load. Engineer has a heart attack. No one in the cab to initiate emergency braking; what's gonna happen next?
Norm
BaltACDLet's let the non-railroaders figure all the moves required to fix a broken knuckle? No professional help please - and don't hurt yourselves laughing!
UlrichBaltACD Let's let the non-railroaders figure all the moves required to fix a broken knuckle? No professional help please - and don't hurt yourselves laughing! That doesn't really help. One person by him/herself would find it difficult to change a knuckle... is that correct?
BaltACD Let's let the non-railroaders figure all the moves required to fix a broken knuckle? No professional help please - and don't hurt yourselves laughing!
Map out the game plan - 1 man or 2.
Norm48327schlimm "No evidence has surfaced that a second person in the locomotive cab contributes to a more-safe operation, while evidence exists that the second person in the cab can cause a safety hazard." Think you'd want to fly in an airliner that has only one pilot? The first officer is there for a safety factor as well as to share the load. Engineer has a heart attack. No one in the cab to initiate emergency braking; what's gonna happen next?
We have had many versions of this conversation before, and each time, it seems like the entire march of progress stops when it gets to those pesky knuckles.
zugmann UlrichWhoever wrote the article said it. They're still full of crap. And the piece doesn't specify who made that statement. I hope it wasn't some 'official' with the Office of Management and Budget. They probably know as much about railroading as my cat does.
It is the underlying assumption of the agreement one of the rail unions is signing with BNSF. Maybe you should address them with your concerns and anger. It's not the non-railroaders who are saying and doing this.
BaltACD Map out the game plan - 1 man or 2.
I have a feeling this is going to get interesting.
BaltACDUlrichBaltACD Let's let the non-railroaders figure all the moves required to fix a broken knuckle? No professional help please - and don't hurt yourselves laughing! That doesn't really help. One person by him/herself would find it difficult to change a knuckle... is that correct? Map out the game plan - 1 man or 2.
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