helper engines

[cabforward]

let me get this straight-- EOTs need not work in broad daylight? does this policy incude all freight trains? does it work for cabooses, if used?

are there great difference in rules that apply to class 1s but are waived for short lines and terminals? ex: crew scheduling; operating on public r-o-w (street rail)..

[Mookie]

this helps a lot! I know I have read some of this in Trains Magazine, but I am always so sleepy when I try to read it, I don't retain it as well.

Plus I push a computer around rather than an engine/train and don't work with it all the time.

Anyway - I remember reading that a manned helper would have an EOT in front of it since it would be cutting off. I thought at the time - how smart of them!

And out here in the wide open spaces - we don't need a scanner to know a train is close, we listen for the whistle! Pathetic isn't it!

[DTomajko]

Jenny, an EOT also monitors the brake pipe pressure in the train line and transmits the information to a reciever in the locomotive.The reciever is programmed to the code of the EOT,(which is noted on the transmitter)the engine only recieves the data from its EOT and not from any others.In order to save battery life,most EOTs that I've seen only operate the flashing light in low-light or darkness,(at least on the former Conrail lines).Also,I believe that the FRA requires EOTs to be 2-way,which means that it can receive a signal to apply the brakes from the rear of a train.This type of EOT has been in use in Canada for many years.The old EOTs transmitted only.You can hear EOT signals at 457.9375Mhz on a scanner,(just a couple of beeps & squacks ever 5 secs. or so),and since the range is only 3 miles(+ or -),you can tell if a train is near.By the way,NS also uses EOT tuned to 161.115Mhz,(you know that they just have to be different).Also,manned rearend helpers still have EOTs between the engines and the last car.On Conrail's Pittsburgh line,the rear helpers weren't cut into the train air supply so that they could cut away "on the fly",and the train could continue on without stopping.Obviuosly,mid-train & DPU helpers are in the trainline.I don't know if headend helpers were cut into the air or not,(Conrail wouldn't normally push on light trains like Intermodal or empty hoppers).I hope this helped a little. Stay safe & enjoy yourself,DT,Pa.

[Mookie]

:) This is a real knee-slapper! Thanx for your hep!

Jen

[cabforward]

doing very well.. i do think it's pronounced 'hepper' engine.. people should always ask for 'hep' if they need it.. 'hepper' engines hep trains get over the hump.. i git bye with a leedle hep from my frens'.. john lemmon wrote thet..

[Mookie]

which brings up another question - how much does the EOT actually do. The answers are saying it is a light device, but I suspect it may do something else, also. And if it does, can you get that same thing from an engine? Make sense?

Jen

[Mookie]

As I figured. They are always distributed power and the headlights are always on. These are coal trains. But you confirmed what I suspected.

Thanx

Jen

[favuprailroadfan]

yes he is correct. As long as the rear light is on dim, then an EOT is not needed. Since all the air pressure is controlled and monitered by the rear loco, then FRED is not needed. I have seen EOT on some DPU's though. Manned helpers do not require them, this is a very good question.

Dru

[Jackflash]

Are you talking about manned helpers or distributed power locomotives ? in either case the
rules allow running without a two-way EOT, as far
as rear end markers are concerned, the rear facing
headlight turned on dim is the rear of train marker (there are some red light devices that
plug into the MU receptical on a distributed power
rear locomotive to give a red light to the rear
of the train, this is a marker only, indicating
the rear of train, so far I,ve only seen these
two times they are not on all DP trains, mostly
you'll see the rear light on dim (no EOT)
jackflash

[Mookie]

Our coal trains often have helper engines at the very rear. Do they need an EOT device also? Haven't seen one yet, so probably not, but why not?

Hey Cabforward, how am I doin'?

:)

Jen