Slow orders and slow minds

[mudchicken]

At least they don't count poles anymore.

[BaltACD]

Murphy Siding

     Are milesposts on something like a slow order called out in full numbers, like 'mile post 187'? Or are they called out by the more exact milepost listed at the last crossing like 'milepost 143.6'?

On CSX the milepost are exact to the tenth.  All milepost in the US (because of PTC) are unique and consist of  6 characters with tenths denoted after the period.  On most carriers subdivisions are indicated by common identifications.  CSX uses both alpha and numeric identifiers to their various subdivisions.  There is no uniform location of Milepost 0 in any milepost designations.

On CSX Between Baltimore (Camden Station) and Washington the mileposts are of the BAA series - BAA  0 to BAA 36.9 at F Tower where the line enters Amtrak's Washington Union Station.  Amtrak has their own milepost designations for the NEC.

On CSX a Slow order must be one tenth of a mile or longer.  Both Passenger and Freight speeds are mentioned.  "Do not exceed 10/10 MPH between BAA 35.0 and BAA 35.1 on #1 track - Signs Yes (or NO)".

When a temporary Speed Restriction is to be issued, changed or annulled.  The responsible MofW employee will contact the Train Dispatcher with the info of what he wants done - The Train Dispatcher will call up the appropriate CADS screen and input the data, repeat the data from the CADS screen to the MofW employee and ask the MofW employee if what was repeated is correct.  If the MofW employee concurs that the read back was correct, the Train Dispatcher will hit the enter key on the CADS screen, the slow order will be placed on the subdivision's train messages and a Train Message Number will be created by the computer for it - the Train Dispatcher will communicte that Train Message Number to the MofW employee who will make a record of it on his documents for the slow order.

Once the slow order is issued it is the Train Dispatchers responsibility to notify the trains that will be operating over the territory that do not have the slow order on their train messages.  The CADS system assists the Train Dispatcher in determining which trains have the order and which do not.

Not giving a temporary slow order to a train is a fireable offense.  Slow Orders are serious business.

[Jackflash]

I've seen it done both ways,  seems to depend on the MOW foreman

[tree68]

Murphy Siding

     Are milesposts on something like a slow order called out in full numbers, like 'mile post 187'? Or are they called out by the more exact milepost listed at the last crossing like 'milepost 143.6'?

Down to the tenth, even if it's MP 143.0.

Even if a slow order involves a specific point (say, a broken rail or pull-apart), the slow order will generally include the tenth on either side.

 

[Murphy Siding]

     Are milesposts on something like a slow order called out in full numbers, like 'mile post 187'? Or are they called out by the more exact milepost listed at the last crossing like 'milepost 143.6'?

[mudchicken]

Used up all his signs? Sounds like the G-Car or D-car just hit. (and far from enough troops to hit the low hanging fruit.)

[BaltACD]

Some temporary Slow Orders get issued without signs being displayed (MofW Foreman used all his signs on other Slows and similar excuses).

In many cases the slow order may only be for 0.1 mile, however, with the size of trains being run - you have to have your 2-3 mile train down to the specified speed by the specified MP's.  You have to operate your ENTIRE train over the specified MP's.  After the entire train clears the restriction it may then accelerate back to track speed.  So a simple tenth of a mile slow order can cause a train to operate at less than track speed for up to 10 miles - slowing - observing - accelerating.

[tree68]

mvlandsw

You may catch a track worker on the radio giving a new slow order to the dispatcher or the dispatcher giving it to the train crews.

Unless you've got an in with someone on the railroad, there are no sure-fire ways to know.

Warning signs might be placed in a location not readily accessible to the general public.

If it's a temporary slow order, you may hear it discussed on the air.  As MV notes, longer term slow orders will be published in bulletin orders and like documents, so even if it's dark territory and the DS is giving out track warrants/EC1s/Form D's, slow orders probably won't be mentioned.

If MOW is working, you'll hear oncoming trains contact the foreman for permission to pass through the work area.

If you do a little exploring at nearby crossings, parallel roads, etc, you may be able to spot signs, if they've been posted.  They aren't all that conspicuous - maybe a foot square, and usually on a short post besides.

[mvlandsw]

Sometimes there are signs posted about 2 miles away, another at the beginning, and another at the end of the slow order. There may be numbers showing the required speed, but often there are none. The crews know what speed is required from their paperwork. You may catch a track worker on the radio giving a new slow order to the dispatcher or the dispatcher giving it to the train crews.

[Murphy Siding]

      A couple days back I saw a train go by at work that seemed to be stuck in 2nd gear. Normal track speed is probably in the 40 mph range.  That train was going maybe half that speed. Since then I've seen several trains going by that were also stuck in Granny Gear. Today, I saw another one. Then it hit me! The trains are slow, but I'm slower. They must have a slow order on this section of track.

     Is there a way for someone who doesn't work for the railroad to find out about slow orders on a particular section of track?