QUOTE: Originally posted by Mikeygaw On the lead locomotive in this shot: http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=108062 there are two stickers, one red and one green... i know the red sticker denotes a fire extinguisher, but what does the green one denote?
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard Possibly the grain he is fanning has fermented some? Ed
23 17 46 11
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)
QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken Lotta fertilizer in those hopper cars too. In LA, ATSF/BNSF's Hobart Yard is accross the tracks from Ski Bandini (Bandini doo-doo) and a battery recycling plant, plus Farmer John's packing plant isn't far away.[xx(][xx(][xx(]
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes Our railyard, especially near the fuel rack and in the bowl, is between two swampy forest areas. The other night, after dark, I actually saw a red fox dart in front of my truck while driving in the bowl. [:0] I see mice and rats often while driving though the bowl but this is the first time I have seen a fox. What other animals have other railroaders seen in the yard? [?] Well I can add opossum to the list. I saw one the other night run in front of my truck. [:0]
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes Our railyard, especially near the fuel rack and in the bowl, is between two swampy forest areas. The other night, after dark, I actually saw a red fox dart in front of my truck while driving in the bowl. [:0] I see mice and rats often while driving though the bowl but this is the first time I have seen a fox. What other animals have other railroaders seen in the yard? [?]
QUOTE: Originally posted by wctransfer ok ***, heres one. When your doing an air test, why does the train not move when you "release em'" and the conductor makes sure all of the brakes are releasing. That single independent cant hold the train there could it? Alec
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes Here is a question for those of us who have to work in the railyards. WHY do they stink so badly so much of the time? [?] On some days the odor can almost take you down. [:0] Some of the time it smells like something very large has died. [B)] [xx(]
QUOTE: Originally posted by 1435mm It depends upon the pre-existing agreement between the two railways. If the locomotive cannot be moved without repairs (e.g., spun traction motor support bearing, seized pinion, major damage to one or both bogies), the railway on which the mishap occurred will make sufficient repairs to make the locomotive safe to move dead-in-tow to the home carrier or a designated contract repair shop. Under most agreements, light repairs are made by the railway on which the locomotive fails and billed to the home road, and locomotives requiring heavy repairs are dispatched to the home road or to a designated contract shop.
QUOTE: Originally posted by AMTK200 QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979 Dave, the sanding during an emergency application is to keep the wheels on the locomotive turning so as to not develop flat spots on the wheels. (You do not want flat spots on locomotive wheels, it doesn't do the trucks any good, and usually requires speed restrictions on the locomotive, usually in the neighborhood of 10MPH.) Why if Locos Sand to avoid Flat Spots, then why don't they sand all Freight Cars to avoid Flat Spots?
QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979 Dave, the sanding during an emergency application is to keep the wheels on the locomotive turning so as to not develop flat spots on the wheels. (You do not want flat spots on locomotive wheels, it doesn't do the trucks any good, and usually requires speed restrictions on the locomotive, usually in the neighborhood of 10MPH.)
Randy Vos
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
Jock Ellis Cumming, GA US of A Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes Last weekend we had an ice storm in the area. I never heard an official amount but the bed of my pickup had a good 3 to 4 inches in it. [:0] It started late Friday night with freezing rain and continued off and on most of the night. The trains were still running but crews were wanting lots of fusees. In the yard the MOW crews were lighting an oil [?] of some sort under the rails in the hump yard. They also lighted some under the rails on the mainlines. There were no switches near where they were lighting them on the mainlines. In the hump yard switches were near the fires. Every so often the small fires would flare up 5 or 6 feet in the air then settle back down to just a flame of a few inches. What type of oil did they use? Was this oil in a contain or pot like the highway maintence crews used to use? It did burn a while and also produced a smell. I had a feeling of maybe this used to be like the old time yard when steam engines were in use, lots of smoke and smells. [:)] Kerosene http://www.aldonco.com/catalog_category.asp?sec=3&cat=91&subid=91 Very similar to the old highway smudge pots ......older switch heaters used kerosene or a mixture of waste/journal oil that was initially ignited by gasoline or naptha.... These little portable switch heaters are more common than you think.[:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes Last weekend we had an ice storm in the area. I never heard an official amount but the bed of my pickup had a good 3 to 4 inches in it. [:0] It started late Friday night with freezing rain and continued off and on most of the night. The trains were still running but crews were wanting lots of fusees. In the yard the MOW crews were lighting an oil [?] of some sort under the rails in the hump yard. They also lighted some under the rails on the mainlines. There were no switches near where they were lighting them on the mainlines. In the hump yard switches were near the fires. Every so often the small fires would flare up 5 or 6 feet in the air then settle back down to just a flame of a few inches. What type of oil did they use? Was this oil in a contain or pot like the highway maintence crews used to use? It did burn a while and also produced a smell. I had a feeling of maybe this used to be like the old time yard when steam engines were in use, lots of smoke and smells. [:)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350 Here's a newbie question..... How do I find out a train's number? Let's say I'm railfanning in unfamiliar territory and all I know is the location, time, and locomotive number. How can I figure out the train number? And what if I don't even know the technical name for the line I'm on but only know the geographical location? Another for example: There are typically two trains that go past my house every day. It is a dozen or so mile long branch line (NS) that serves a number of industries along the way. The trains run Monday to Friday, minus holidays. Do these trains have a number, and if so how can I figure it out?
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...
QUOTE: Originally posted by up829 What type of material is used on the wear surface of pantographs to avoid damaging catenary? Is it impregnated with some type of lubricant or do catenary systems have lubricators? Does heat become a problem on high speed Euro trains and how do they deal with it?
Quentin
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark_W._Hemphill QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding On the "Today in railroad history" thread, something came up that you Chicago railfans should be able to answer. I posted something that said 1854 was when Chicago was connected to eastern cities by rail. Nanaimo73 found a map dating from 1850 that appears to show several lines into Chicago. When did Chicago link up with the east coast by rail, and what railroad was it. Thanks Murphy: While the Lake Shore and the Michigan Southern (separate and competing companies) arrived Chicago from the east within one day of each other in February 1852, forming a rail link from the western shores of Lake Erie to Chicago, a rail link to New York City was not completed until the Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland Railroad Company completed its line from Toledo eastward to Cleveland on January 24, 1853. All of these lines were merged into New York Central at various times. Here's a timeline for Chicago railroads: http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1461.html And a history of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and its predecessors: http://www.s363.com/dkny/lsms.html
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding On the "Today in railroad history" thread, something came up that you Chicago railfans should be able to answer. I posted something that said 1854 was when Chicago was connected to eastern cities by rail. Nanaimo73 found a map dating from 1850 that appears to show several lines into Chicago. When did Chicago link up with the east coast by rail, and what railroad was it. Thanks
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas Mike, One of my best steam pictures I ever took was of the 3985 in Gerlach,Nv. opening the "cylinder cocks" wide open after sitting for a water refill. The steam sprayed out over 100' feet on either side of her. I remember thinking to myself..Man that could really [censored] someone up good if they were standing near that. Although out there they really let it loose where the only thing in danger is sagebrush (the state tree I think [(-D]). Unfortunately it is a print so I can't post it.
QUOTE: Originally posted by CSSHEGEWISCH What is the difference between Distributed Power as operated currently by UP, BNSF and other roads and mid-train slaves as operated in the 1960's and 1970's by Southern, ATSF and others?
QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN Yeah, that tank training train. I've seen UP's car. http://uptrain.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=5946
Pump
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes G B I have not seen the others as yet. They could have come through before I saw this one or after. Perhaps they have not come byt all, I just don't know.
QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN Jim spied this in North Little Rock UP Yard today, he wanted to know what it was. After some research by me, I know for sure it is an Israel Railways unit, I'm thinking G12, maybe a G16. Jim said it was 4 axle, but they sometimes switch trucks out en route. It's heading from Houston, Texas to Mount Vernon, IL, National Railway Equipment Company. It is loaded on flatcar OTTX 97030. Maybe somebody can confirm what model it is.
QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN Jim spied this in North Little Rock UP Yard today, he wanted to know what it was. After some research by me, I know for sure it is an Israel Railways unit, I'm thinking G12, maybe a G16. Jim said it was 4 axle, but they sometimes switch trucks out en route. It's heading from Houston, Texas to Mount Vernon, IL, National Railway Equipment Company. It is loaded on flatcar OTTX 97030. Maybe somebody can confirm what model it is. [img.nr]http://www.pbrail.org/Jimpix/eurounit.JPG[/img.nr]
QUOTE: Originally posted by rgroeling Thanks, Chad, thats a great sight, added to my favorites![^]
QUOTE: Originally posted by bobwilcox Have flange lubricators been used on tangent track to impove fuel consumption?
QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken Flange Lubricator (proper term) Wheel plunger mechanically lets out the grease along the blades. Usage determines maintenance/ refill schedule for the 5 gallons of grease in the pot. (Most grease now comes in a plastic sack that gets dropped in the holding pot - 30+% of the flange lubricant now used is not petroleum based) Lubricators are quite common. Placed wherever rail wear/tonnage is a problem. Even though train crews hate 'em, you GOTTA have them. There is a science to properly applying the grease beads in the proper amount. Got "goop gage"? [:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN Hey you guys, turns out that unit in North Little Rock was the only G8 in the country! Here's a pic of it being loaded on a ship! That's the last thing I thought it was, but it has the tiny grille at the end of the long hood, and it still has the same hood door open, lol! http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=117295
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding Are locomotive trucks standardized? I've read about a lot of 2nd generation units that had *trade-in* trucks from FTs or PAs. Is it that simple to re-cycle them, even, if they came from another manufacturer?
QUOTE: Originally posted by cpbloom Did Chessie System ever own any SD40/SD40-2s or were they all GP40/GP40-2s?
Remember: In South Carolina, North is southeast of Due West... HIOAg /Bill
QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR The person to talk to about operating the diesels in m.u. from a steam locomotive would be Jack Wheelihan, who gets out on nearly all of the trips made by big steam. I believe he came up with the concept.
QUOTE: Originally posted by rrandb Did EMD's FT103 ABBA demonstrators leave Lagrange equipped with steam generators. If not what was the first F unit to have EMD build it with a SG installed. This is not a trvia question??? THANKS
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas OK Jim, only now I have to think of NEW and IMPROVED questions as opposed to regular questions. That is a lot of pressure.[(-D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 These were the last questions I put on topic ... Is there a reason for WP unit 707 for having this kind of headlight instead a vertical set? http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107255 Also is this extention common? http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107295 As of today they haven't been answered ... Matt Hey Matt [:)] The single headlight was a common item on many early diesels. I really like it too, to me it adds some character to them. If you were to compare the same model with a single headlight and a twin headlight you would see what I mean. The single headlight, to me anyway, just looks better. [^] About that homemade extension, the engineer probally did that for his own convience. Many switching jobs are done by the same crew using the same engine day after day. There might be another crew to also use this engine but they both probally agreed on that "setup" and left it just like that. I am not sure the FRA would approve of it. There are a few other items (seen in that photo) that railroaders would not like either. However, I will not point them out. You just don't leave an engine, open to people, as was done here. It certainly is a question of safety. Even if the engineer was still in the engine there are a few things he didn't do that he should have done.
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes After many pages of the previous "Question" thread it appears it is the wish of the original poster to let that thread die. [:(] [V] [|)] That thread contained many extremely good questions and equally valid answers. It is a shame to see it go considering it was such a wealth of information. Many of our newer users have search that thread and learned much valuable information from it.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 These were the last questions I put on topic ... Is there a reason for WP unit 707 for having this kind of headlight instead a vertical set? http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107255
QUOTE: Also is this extention common? http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107295 As of today they haven't been answered ... Matt
QUOTE: Originally posted by coborn35 Thanks for the new thread ***. I will have to find something I dont know....lol
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
QUOTE: Originally posted by rrandb Should we ask for a dedicated forum so it can not "die".?? It will then be easy to find and readilly apparent to old and new users??
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