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Semi-official Rochelle webcam discussion thread

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Posted by jeffhergert on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 7:13 PM

BaltACD
 
cefinkjr

Just (~1650 CST) saw something interesting and a little strange (to me, at least).

First, it was a WB on UP #2 ... 77 auto carriers with a single unit on both ends.  I've seen this move before at about this time and wonder what the origin and destination are.  Can anybody fill me in on that or any other details about that move?

The stramge thing was that this train was moving right along (as fast as anything I've seen on UP here) and suddenly stopped across the diamonds.  The 27th car had almost cleared the signal bridge on the right side of the frame when the train stopped.  When I say suddenly, I mean it wasn't an emergency stop but I'd be surprised if it wasn't a full service application. (And there goes a stack train WB on BNSF #2 with five units -  he's not wasting any time either.)  After less than two minutes, the UP auto train started moving again and was up to track speed (?) again by the time the last car and the single unit behind it passed.  Can anybody explain this?

 

The UP (former CNW) is Train Control territory isn't it?  It could be a signal system failure that puts the train into a signal system initiated full service brake application account of a signal part failure. 

The train control on my territory will some times have a part within the train control system fail and drop a signal segment from Clear to Restricting.  When this happens the train, because it is exceeding Restricted Speed when the failure is detected, gets a Train Control initiated full service brake application.  The incident gets reported to the Train Dispatcher and the train continues when they get their air restored and report when the cab signals return to Clear.  Signal Maintainers are dispatched to resolve the issues.

 

Regarding Balt's description,Thumbs Up.

Jeff

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 7:04 PM

cefinkjr

Makes sense, Balt.  Would approximately 2 minutes be enough time to restore the air on 77 auto carriers?  Does the compressor in the trailing unit help with this?  (What DO you call that trailing unit when it's controlled from the head end? Is DPU the correct term?)

DPU is the correct term and 2 +/- minutes sounds reasonable to pump off a service application, as the emergency resevoirs on the cars aid in recharging the service resevoirs.  I am not totally familiar with the operation of DPU units, I would expect that the compressor on the DPU would aid in recharging the trainline.

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Posted by cefinkjr on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 6:32 PM

Makes sense, Balt.  Would approximately 2 minutes be enough time to restore the air on 77 auto carriers?  Does the compressor in the trailing unit help with this?  (What DO you call that trailing unit when it's controlled from the head end? Is DPU the correct term?) 

Chuck
Allen, TX

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 5:48 PM

cefinkjr

Just (~1650 CST) saw something interesting and a little strange (to me, at least).

First, it was a WB on UP #2 ... 77 auto carriers with a single unit on both ends.  I've seen this move before at about this time and wonder what the origin and destination are.  Can anybody fill me in on that or any other details about that move?

The stramge thing was that this train was moving right along (as fast as anything I've seen on UP here) and suddenly stopped across the diamonds.  The 27th car had almost cleared the signal bridge on the right side of the frame when the train stopped.  When I say suddenly, I mean it wasn't an emergency stop but I'd be surprised if it wasn't a full service application. (And there goes a stack train WB on BNSF #2 with five units -  he's not wasting any time either.)  After less than two minutes, the UP auto train started moving again and was up to track speed (?) again by the time the last car and the single unit behind it passed.  Can anybody explain this?

The UP (former CNW) is Train Control territory isn't it?  It could be a signal system failure that puts the train into a signal system initiated full service brake application account of a signal part failure. 

The train control on my territory will some times have a part within the train control system fail and drop a signal segment from Clear to Restricting.  When this happens the train, because it is exceeding Restricted Speed when the failure is detected, gets a Train Control initiated full service brake application.  The incident gets reported to the Train Dispatcher and the train continues when they get their air restored and report when the cab signals return to Clear.  Signal Maintainers are dispatched to resolve the issues.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by cefinkjr on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 5:03 PM

Just (~1650 CST) saw something interesting and a little strange (to me, at least).

First, it was a WB on UP #2 ... 77 auto carriers with a single unit on both ends.  I've seen this move before at about this time and wonder what the origin and destination are.  Can anybody fill me in on that or any other details about that move?

The stramge thing was that this train was moving right along (as fast as anything I've seen on UP here) and suddenly stopped across the diamonds.  The 27th car had almost cleared the signal bridge on the right side of the frame when the train stopped.  When I say suddenly, I mean it wasn't an emergency stop but I'd be surprised if it wasn't a full service application. (And there goes a stack train WB on BNSF #2 with five units -  he's not wasting any time either.)  After less than two minutes, the UP auto train started moving again and was up to track speed (?) again by the time the last car and the single unit behind it passed.  Can anybody explain this?

Chuck
Allen, TX

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Posted by rdamon on Monday, May 9, 2016 1:47 PM

It looks like they are installing a new box. This must be for the "reset" button on the interlock for the new signals.

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, May 9, 2016 1:43 PM

rdamon
Looks like some trenching happening on the UP side.

Still digging in the same spot, but the backhoe has moved.  Digging very gingerly - must be something down there they don't want to break...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by rdamon on Monday, May 9, 2016 1:15 PM

Looks like some trenching happening on the UP side.

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Monday, May 9, 2016 10:35 AM

Meanwhile, back in Illinois lots of MOW folks out this morning, some serious arc-welding going on on the diamond nearest the camera, looks like some ties being delivered near the far signal shelter, (can't tell for sure on this), and some unidentified noises sounding like an impact wrench or jack hammer.

Busy, busy, busy.

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Posted by chrisjmiller on Sunday, May 8, 2016 11:09 AM
611 is reversing into the platform as I type.
RME
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Posted by RME on Sunday, May 8, 2016 8:08 AM

People begin to arrive on the scene around 6:00.  Train backs in around 6:30 to 6:40 and people in safety vests arrange for boarding at one visible point.  Train then backs out of sight between 7:15 and 7:20. 

Watch while you can!

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Posted by chrisjmiller on Sunday, May 8, 2016 7:09 AM
611 just departed (so on the 'history' for the next 4 hours), going backwards. I assume she was sitting there all night?
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Posted by chrisjmiller on Saturday, May 7, 2016 5:05 PM
611 returned about 40 minutes ago, travelling in the opposite direction (right to left on the webcam). She's still there (I assume) but out of shot.
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Posted by csxns on Saturday, May 7, 2016 1:06 PM

chrisjmiller
611 is back on the Roanoke web cam I guess she'll be there for another hour or

Just left.

Russell

RME
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Posted by RME on Saturday, May 7, 2016 12:50 PM

chrisjmiller
611 is back on the Roanoke web cam I guess she'll be there for another hour or so...

Looks like a little fun on that video -- experiment with the 'rewind' to see what happens just after they back down and stop.

A  little too much fire, too early, I think: pops were feathering and occasionally lifting as the engine backed down ... and then they stopped.  Perhaps too much pressure to engage the blower properly for the size of the fire... large amounts of soft coal smoke wafting around without apparent ways to get it stopped quickly.

Left right after 12:00 eastern time.  Strange how the camera appears to separate smoke from steam in the exhaust.

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Posted by chrisjmiller on Saturday, May 7, 2016 11:31 AM

611 is back on the Roanoke web cam I guess she'll be there for another hour or so, like two weeks ago.  Is this going to be a regular Saturday thing?

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Posted by AgentKid on Friday, May 6, 2016 1:12 PM

cefinkjr
Now THERE was a different move.

That was that fan favourite, the BNSF track geometry car that was discussed a couple of weeks ago. This is the fourth or so time I've seen it since then. I think they are still testing it, because I thought I read somewhere that in use they would only need to cover the same ground once a month.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

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Posted by cefinkjr on Friday, May 6, 2016 1:05 PM

Now THERE was a different move.  One unit, a covered hopper, and some sort of passenger car WB on BNSF #1.

Chuck
Allen, TX

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More work on the Rochelle Illinois diamond today
Posted by junior yardmaster on Friday, May 6, 2016 10:35 AM

Just took a look at the Rochelle Illinois diamond this morning; looks as if some more major work is going on.  Junior Yardmaster

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, May 6, 2016 10:35 AM

LarryWhistling
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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, May 6, 2016 10:03 AM

Not too surprising since crossings are high-maintenance.  Hammond (IHB crossed N&W, EL and MON) was similar and it seemed more unusual to not see a maintenance-of-way crew at that location.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by Goodtiming on Friday, May 6, 2016 9:19 AM
Yep, all four tracks blocked at this time.
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Posted by cefinkjr on Thursday, May 5, 2016 11:45 AM

Times that try an MoW foreman's soul and give gray hairs: Progressing nicely and you have to clear up for a loonnnnggggg slow EB.  Back to work.  Have to clear up for a WB stack train . . . that stops where you're trying to work.  Then the Track Supervisor calls (why did you give him your cell number?) and wants to know how soon you'll be done with that little bit of work . . . that needed a gang of 6 or 8, two cranes, and a backhoe.  Whistling

Chuck
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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, May 5, 2016 11:37 AM

Around 11:20 Rochelle time an electronic siren briefly sounded and the workers left the tracks.  At least one vehicle left the area.

I'm now hearing a horn, so it sounds like lunch and some traffic were coordinated.  We'll see how much traffic got backed up.  UP is first through with a westbound.

I think I've mentioned this before - it would be cool if there were a way to show the signals.  I doubt the railroads would want any tapping into their circuits, so that would leave some sort of camera system feeding back to the park.  Integrating those four feeds into the webcam would probably be a challenge beyond the resources available, but it would be possible.

If they are getting away from the code line, perhaps we might eventually be able to see an ATCS-type feed, to go along with the scanner feed.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, May 5, 2016 11:12 AM

Looks like they're placing ties, under the watchful eye of a fellow at the railpark.

Seems to be some swinging of spike mauls, but I can't tell for sure.

LarryWhistling
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...

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Posted by MKT Dave on Thursday, May 5, 2016 9:16 AM

oops, stack just went through on #1, after saying it was discontected.

...
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Posted by rdamon on Thursday, May 5, 2016 9:05 AM

Earthcam has some mobile apps, maybe that will work for you. 

http://www.earthcam.com/mobile/

 

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Posted by trainmaster247 on Thursday, May 5, 2016 8:50 AM

Not sure if it is just me but should the webcam work on mobile? I just have the black box.

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Posted by MKT Dave on Thursday, May 5, 2016 8:49 AM

On the Right side of the diamonds, behind the left hand signal box, a new pile of gravel was put there yesterday.

Today they are digging onto #1 track just beside the diamonds. pulling ties and lots of orange vests and white hats... grrr wish a camera was mounted on the nearest telephone pole to watch em... To see what they're doing.

right now, UP #1 is disconected from the diamonds on the East side.

...
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Posted by phkmn2000 on Thursday, May 5, 2016 8:44 AM
MAJOR work crew out there this morning.

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