CShaveRR The Centerbeam flat cars are notoriously top-heavy--they don't have thick underframes down below floor level. I nearly had a passed-drawbar incident while working that would have fipped about a half-dozen of them on the yard lead...fortunately, I could grab the loads in the retarder, let the centerbeams right themselves and roll, then it could be fixed the right way with a locomotive making the joints.
The Centerbeam flat cars are notoriously top-heavy--they don't have thick underframes down below floor level. I nearly had a passed-drawbar incident while working that would have fipped about a half-dozen of them on the yard lead...fortunately, I could grab the loads in the retarder, let the centerbeams right themselves and roll, then it could be fixed the right way with a locomotive making the joints.
Johnny
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)
tree68NS encountered that very stringlining problem - twice, I believe - at Horse Shoe Curve. Trains did an article on it recently. Pending something more authoritative, I'm with LO - at least part of the consideration would be the profile. Amongst the various considerations, too, has to do with pre-blocking. Arranging a train so that blocks can be dropped at various points (and picked up, for that matter) certainly complicates the issue, at that means that loads and empties necessarily are scattered throughout the train.
Trains did an article on it recently.
Pending something more authoritative, I'm with LO - at least part of the consideration would be the profile.
Amongst the various considerations, too, has to do with pre-blocking. Arranging a train so that blocks can be dropped at various points (and picked up, for that matter) certainly complicates the issue, at that means that loads and empties necessarily are scattered throughout the train.
The problem that affects center beam and other LIGHT, LONG, EMPTY cars is TRAILING TONNAGE on grades with curvature.
Baltimore Division CSX Timetable Empty Car Placement Instructions for Trains Empty cars 80 feet and longer must be placed in the train in such a location that the trailing tonnage behind these empty cars does not exceed the amount listed below. In territory where helper locomotives are used on the rear of the train, their tonnage rating should be subtracted to the trailing tonnage listed below when determining the location for the restricted car(s): Between Direction Tonnage Hyndman & Sand PatchWestward 4,750 Connellsville & SandPatchEastward 8,500 Connellsville & New CastleEastward & Westward13,300
Empty Car Placement Instructions for Trains
Empty cars 80 feet and longer must be placed in the train in such a location that the trailing tonnage behind these empty cars does not exceed the amount listed below. In territory where helper locomotives are used on the rear of the train, their tonnage rating should be subtracted to the trailing tonnage listed below when determining the location for the restricted car(s):
Between Direction Tonnage
Hyndman & Sand PatchWestward 4,750
Connellsville & SandPatchEastward 8,500
Connellsville & New CastleEastward & Westward13,300
The territory involving Sand Patch are mountain grades. The Connellsville-New Castle territory has very little gradient, however their is a high degree of curvature account following rivers.
Building multi-block trains can create problems in complying with this and other car placement restrictions that the carriers have in effect.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
NS encountered that very stringlining problem - twice, I believe - at Horse Shoe Curve.
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...
I can't answer either question. But as for the empty flats followed by loads, I wonder if this practice is okay on stretches of railroad without any significantly tight surves. ??
My original thread was getting too long...
What criteria must be met for a DPU to be placed mid-train? I've been seeing this more and more on both unit trains and mixed trains.
Also, I am seeing many empty center-posters at the beginning, following by loaded cars. Isn't this a risk to derail?
Thanks in advance.
Regards - Steve
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