NDG Points Cap Broom. https://static.torontopubliclibrary.ca/da/images/MC/tspa_0001131f.jpg A Multilingual Safety Poster.
The same thing happened in Vancouver a few days ago, to a man with over 30 years service, and a family who now must spend the holidays grieving.
RIP
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
NDG The Wire Chief. When I Hired On many years ago, there was lots I had to learn. The Rules, Safety First, Second and Always, Time Table and so forth. Job description, Switching, use of Retainers and Hand Brakes. There were various job descriptions to remember and cow-tow to in importance. Most jobs fit their description. Section Foreman, B&B Master, Car Foreman, Locomotive Foreman, Chief Dispatcher, Yard Master. However, there was one job that did not fit. Wire Chief. He made the wires hum, the Telegraph click and clack, and the DS phone clear, rain, snow or Ground Hum. A Mystery Man who hid in the rear of the Telegraph Office at the foot of Main St. You could still send a 'Telegram' from there, but it went by printer and perf tape along with train consists from the Yard Office. BASIC Info, I was informed by those in the know. The Wire Chief was 'The MAN' who really made things 'Tick' esp at Time Signal Time. Over time I gained an impression of a Wire Chief as a Wire God, channeling electrical information on his every whim, directing his minions, the Linesmen to clear the way, electrically. The Linesmen traveled along by Fairmont and knocked snow hats off the cross arms before they broke. The Wire Chief was a GOD right up there with The Supt, The Div Engineer, and The Chief Train Dispatcher. He was NOT to be found on the Second Floor, but in the Wire Office, at the foot of Main St. An Imagined Image of The Wire Chief. http://40.media.tumblr.com/40758e926a57ce3790a406dbe0953701/tumblr_ng1boeD3Oi1tblm4bo1_500.jpg From the Telephone Directories of the era. One day I decided to go over to the Wire Office to see just who the Wire Chief was, in person. Should I genuflect? Is there a procedure in The Rule Book regarding Wire Chief acknowledgement? I asked the Telegrapher at the Commercial Desk who was the Wire Chief, and what did he do? Well, out came this chubby, balding, pasty, potbellied dwarf with thick glasses, a visor, suspenders, black sleeve protectors, yellow cigarette fingers and a real bad attitude like an angry old bear. He told me to go take a Flying F. and I left. Disillusioned again. Another Lie of Life. Hmmmm. Maybe this was not going to be as much fun as I hoped. Over half a century ago. On the Kootenay Division. Thank You.
Relief Wire Chief was the first 'regualr' position I was able to bid in during my career. K Office in Akron, OH. (S-S Daylight, M-T 2nd, W 3rd)
One time I went to check noise on particular circuit. Patch cable in hand, I plugged into the circuit and picked myself up off the floor on the other side of the office. The free end of the patch cable had been in my other hand when I plugged in and the primary cause of the 'noise' was a 440v live signal line had broken and fallen into the circuit I was trying to test. Lesson Learned.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I had NO IDEA there was such a thing as a 440V signal line.
https://books.google.com/books?id=ZpXmAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA206&lpg=PA206&dq=440V+signal+line&source=bl&ots=vPkNKp1P1l&sig=ACfU3U3gUgn44gXqdb4UFCUWjwfBvEL0ug&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrnqX7qKzmAhXOTN8KHaqUD48Q6AEwDXoECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=440V%20signal%20line&f=false
A lesson learned now, too.
NDGQuestions. FYI. Two Videos. https://globalnews.ca/video/6275957/family-of-veteran-cp-rail-worker-questions-his-death Thank You.
From the brief description of the incident - I have no idea of what safety issues they are complaining about that their loved one didn't ignore to cause his death.
In crossing a track LOOK both ways for movements on the tracks. Don't just 'glace' into the dark.
OvermodI had NO IDEA there was such a thing as a 440V signal line.
Back in the fifties, I was assigned to a Pennsy signal gang and one of the men had an electric skilet. He used a 4/1 transformer to step down the signal line voltage to 110V and cooked pancakes for us in the camp car for breakfast, so I learned early on about the signal power line. The line would get fed fron the local utility and then feed the various signal cabinets for up to five miles to power the crossing signals battery chargers that kept every thing working. The camp train used it to feeds the lights in the cars where we stayed. When he used the skilet, the lights dimmed. Never did find the fuse ratings on the circuit.
I've read of "consumer" power on the pole lines - I didn't realize it was 440.
There is a spot along our line that I don't think ever had commercial power - even now it's better than a half mile off the nearest power lines.
There was a station, a section house, and a tool house at said location. The station burned in the early 40's (curiously, so did some other stations along the line).
But the section house still stands. The current owners use battery lights when they are there (it's a seasonal camp now), but at the peak of the roof, on one end, there is clearly an insulator. This leads me to believe that there was power to the building at one point, and most logically from the pole line.
I suspect the electricity was used only to power a light bulb or two. There is still a substantial coal stove in this small building that the owners tell me will drive you right out of the building when it's going good.
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...
Official Transport Canada blurb:
Occurrence Type:Time:ACCIDENT Accident/Incident Type: EMPLOYEE2019-12-02 22:12 Classification: BEING ASSESSEDProvince: Nearest Town/City:Subdivision Owner:Subdivision Name:BRITISH COLUMBIA COQUITLAMCP - CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY CO.CASCADE Subdivision Mileage: 111.50Location:Details:DG Cars Involved:Train Operator:Yard Name:0CP - CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY CO.COQUITLAMDG Released: 0Spur Name: Spur Mileage:Injuries:Fatal: 1 Serious: 0 Minor: 0Occurrence Summary:CP employee was struck by a train at Coquitlam yard mile 111.5 Cascade Sub. Confirmed fatal. TSB assessing
BaltACD NDG Questions. FYI. Two Videos. https://globalnews.ca/video/6275957/family-of-veteran-cp-rail-worker-questions-his-death Thank You. From the brief description of the incident - I have no idea of what safety issues they are complaining about that their loved one didn't ignore to cause his death. In crossing a track LOOK both ways for movements on the tracks. Don't just 'glace' into the dark.
NDG Questions. FYI. Two Videos. https://globalnews.ca/video/6275957/family-of-veteran-cp-rail-worker-questions-his-death Thank You.
This article gives a bit better description:
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/family-left-with-questions-in-workplace-death-of-cp-rail-engineer
I'm sure CP will want to blame him for making a personal phone call while on duty, even though it appears that happened before he walked across the tracks.
The info raises more questions. How long was his trip from the AFHT of North Bend? How long was his layover there, and how much actual good rest did he get? When did his previous shift from Vancouver take place, was it all night or the previous day?
This is eerily similar to a 2015 incident on CN in Saskatoon, where a Conductor with 29 years of service was struck and killed by another train while walking foul of the main track, near the end of a all-night trip from Melville.
https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/sites/default/files/2015_04_09_railway_employee_fatality_near_saskatoon_saskatchewan.pdf
I don't have anywhere near 30 years experience, but I am not wet behind the ears either. A number of times I have caught myself accidentally stepping foul of another track while walking through the yard. It is terrifyingly easy to do this accidentally, especially in winter when drifting snow makes it hard to see exactly where the tracks are, and the longer nights make visibility all the worse.
Kicked cars rolling down tracks are nearly silent, and a black tank car or empty flatcar can sneak up on anyone in the dark.
Tanks a lot.
It continues ...https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2019/12/12/train-derailment-on-detroits-southwest-side-prompts-hazmat-situation/
That looks and reads like another "string lining" to me . . .
- PDN.
Paul_D_North_Jr That looks and reads like another "string lining" to me . . . - PDN.
I agree.
And now for something completely different, a variation of the noodle logo I had not seen until now:
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/719418/
And I was just beginning to think that this thread had strayed from the original subject of its title.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
It sure was. It happened at CP Scotten on CSAO Tracks. The train's CN 383 which operates between Mac Yard in Toronto, ON to Lang Yard Toledo, OH.
Dude-- Boy they really went out of their way on that logo. That must have taken at least 20 minutes.
Thank You.
Question. Has anyone knowledge on how the BNSF snow coaches going to be heated ?
Intel from TrainOrders says they are paired with a separate baggage/HEP generator car.
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4913556
As built each Santa Fe Hi-Level car had its own self-contained diesel power unit. I'm not sure how many have survived in that configuration.
FYI, A-B-B-A passenger units on a hot freight:
NDG Explosion Steel Works, Wales. April 2019. Torpedo Car transporting molten iron derails and contents explode in contact w water. After time 1:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JnoTc_VJ44 FWIW. Five 5 Alco GE S1 Diesel Switchers 1950 worked here. https://www.philt.org.uk/Industrial/PT/i-fb37mtz/ http://alcoworld.railfan.net/alco_gb.htm Thank You.
Yikes! Amazing how much energy is contained in molten metal or slag. Slag pots being dumped at INCO or other plants are spectacular enough, I'm very glad they don't run into water!
And here's a nice shot, Merry Christmas from CP at Radium Hot Springs, BC (home of hoodoos and rockslides):
SD70DudeYikes! Amazing how much energy is contained in molten metal or slag. Slag pots being dumped at INCO or other plants are spectacular enough, I'm very glad they don't run into water!
IIRC, there was a firefighter killed or seriously injured when water was applied to a burning dumpster that contained magnesium, or at least something that didn't much care for the water...
Very very nice picture Dude.
I thought you meant an RSD15 of Santa Fe fame. Could have been the Empress Of Agincourt, but it wasn't an alligator really.
So why does an alligator cross the road in Montreal? Well quite obviously to get to the other side.
An alligator and Justin Trudeau walk into a bar in Montreal. The bartender tells Mr. Trudeau " we don't serve Liberals in here".
NDGAlligator Crossing the Street.... In Montreal. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.4731180
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.4731180
That's not an alligator. I'm not an expert on reptiles, but it looks like an exotic pet, perhaps a caiman? In any case, a very simple differential diagnosis. And it looks to me as if it's domesticated.
Expect him to be happy to be picked up and taken home to where it's properly warm. If not? call me. I'll give him a good home.
It was quickly recaptured by its owner.
https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/see-you-later-alligator-reptile-spotted-on-jarry-st
At least this didn't turn out like the escaped Python in New Brunswick a few years ago:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/python-enclosure-in-n-b-boys-deaths-had-flaw-1.1384533
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.