Bad train pictures

[kwboehm]

Over lunch I heard a dispatcher talking about a track light he had. I've figured that it indicates some form of problem with the track be it a broken rail or whatever. I was wondering how accurate to the location are they. I thought I heard the dispatcher put the track light between two points that were quite a distnce apart. What else can a track light indicate, and how accurate location wise are they? Or do they have to send the track crew on a wild goose chase between the 2 points until they find something?

[kwboehm]

Over lunch I heard a dispatcher talking about a track light he had. I've figured that it indicates some form of problem with the track be it a broken rail or whatever. I was wondering how accurate to the location are they. I thought I heard the dispatcher put the track light between two points that were quite a distnce apart. What else can a track light indicate, and how accurate location wise are they? Or do they have to send the track crew on a wild goose chase between the 2 points until they find something?

[kwboehm]

Last night I was at an old Rock Island depot that is part model rr club & part historical society. On the historical society side there was an end of train lantern. One one side, there was the red lens with a red target around it. The opposite side also had a red lens, but had a green target around it. Is there any significance to this. Also, what does the green on the sides of the lantern mean?

[kwboehm]

Last night I was at an old Rock Island depot that is part model rr club & part historical society. On the historical society side there was an end of train lantern. One one side, there was the red lens with a red target around it. The opposite side also had a red lens, but had a green target around it. Is there any significance to this. Also, what does the green on the sides of the lantern mean?

[mudchicken]

KW:
(1) Track light means that the DS has a section of CTC dispatched track giving him/her an occupied indication (light) in a certain block or interlocking. As long as the light remains, the DS cannot line up any more trains and any train in the block will have to crawl through and flag that block. The defect could be a broken rail, broken wire, switch out of adjustment, a short, bad insulation or any of a dozen other things. The track crew does not come out until the signalman can troubleshoot the problem and narrow down the source of the problem.

(2) Cabeese lamps...are you the end of an extra(red/red), second section(white/red),or an extra with sections to follow (green/red) or did somebody put the lenses back together after cleaning. Old rule book systems varied widely between railroads, maybe an old ROCK employee with a CRIP rulebook could answer for that particular line.

(Somewhat curious if you really had a caboose lantern instead of an old oil switch indicator lantern made by the same company...)

MC

[mudchicken]

KW:
(1) Track light means that the DS has a section of CTC dispatched track giving him/her an occupied indication (light) in a certain block or interlocking. As long as the light remains, the DS cannot line up any more trains and any train in the block will have to crawl through and flag that block. The defect could be a broken rail, broken wire, switch out of adjustment, a short, bad insulation or any of a dozen other things. The track crew does not come out until the signalman can troubleshoot the problem and narrow down the source of the problem.

(2) Cabeese lamps...are you the end of an extra(red/red), second section(white/red),or an extra with sections to follow (green/red) or did somebody put the lenses back together after cleaning. Old rule book systems varied widely between railroads, maybe an old ROCK employee with a CRIP rulebook could answer for that particular line.

(Somewhat curious if you really had a caboose lantern instead of an old oil switch indicator lantern made by the same company...)

MC

[kwboehm]

The lamp was sitting on top of an old dispatch control (old CTC??) box, and nowhere near any piece of rolling stock. It had a handle on the top as if it could be hung form the rear of the train. There was another lamp next to it. It had no handle, and no targets around the lenses, and the lenses were reflective, so I think that one was an old switch lantern.

[kwboehm]

The lamp was sitting on top of an old dispatch control (old CTC??) box, and nowhere near any piece of rolling stock. It had a handle on the top as if it could be hung form the rear of the train. There was another lamp next to it. It had no handle, and no targets around the lenses, and the lenses were reflective, so I think that one was an old switch lantern.

[Anonymous]

Next question [?]

We just got over a power outage. It lasted around an hour, no big deal. During the outage I heard the train horn at a nearby crossing that has lights, bell, and arms. My question is this. During a power outage is there a backup battery for the crossing lights, bell and arms [?] Do the crossing usually get their power from the local source or from batteries in the nearby metal shed [?] Years ago I remember seeing a put-put car stop near a different shed and the signal maintainer pour acid into a large glass container.

Now same idea but different angle. Do the defect detectors get their power from the local source or batteries in a shed [?]

[Anonymous]

Next question [?]

We just got over a power outage. It lasted around an hour, no big deal. During the outage I heard the train horn at a nearby crossing that has lights, bell, and arms. My question is this. During a power outage is there a backup battery for the crossing lights, bell and arms [?] Do the crossing usually get their power from the local source or from batteries in the nearby metal shed [?] Years ago I remember seeing a put-put car stop near a different shed and the signal maintainer pour acid into a large glass container.

Now same idea but different angle. Do the defect detectors get their power from the local source or batteries in a shed [?]

[edblysard]

Hi Jim,
The grade crossing signals and the wayside dectors use local power, and if that is interupted, they have back up battries, good for at least 48 hours operation. Battries are kept charged buy the local power, and kick in when that fails.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Hi Jim,
The grade crossing signals and the wayside dectors use local power, and if that is interupted, they have back up battries, good for at least 48 hours operation. Battries are kept charged buy the local power, and kick in when that fails.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

Everyone knows it's Halloween. Do railroaders watch out more tonight than they normally would [?] Do you expect pranks while hiballing down the line. Is it just another night in the train or [?] Does anyone have a Halloween Railroading story [?]

[Anonymous]

Everyone knows it's Halloween. Do railroaders watch out more tonight than they normally would [?] Do you expect pranks while hiballing down the line. Is it just another night in the train or [?] Does anyone have a Halloween Railroading story [?]

[brilondon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Maybe we should move to the humor thread !

This thread at present seems to have more laughs. [:o)]

[:0] no no.... he ask some stupid questions - I gave him some stupid answers - it all flows!

Moo

Quite the appropriate reply!!

[brilondon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Maybe we should move to the humor thread !

This thread at present seems to have more laughs. [:o)]

[:0] no no.... he ask some stupid questions - I gave him some stupid answers - it all flows!

Moo

Quite the appropriate reply!!

[Nora]

Thanks for the birthday wishes for Charlie. The cake didn't make it to Halloween and it wasn't Charlie who ate most of it. [:D]

Did anyone see my picture for photo of the day the other day? It isn't the best, but it's OK...the sun went behind a cloud about 4 seconds before I took the picture, and I was only using my little old digital camera. I drive past that bridge almost every day & it's a nice view.

http://www.trains.com/photogallery/gallery_large.asp?idObjectLibraryGUID={483DA960-D547-424F-9216-7D1D55F1D251}&idMenuCategory=1&idMenuSubCategory=15&idMenuMinorCategory=1501

(might have to cut and paste that, I am out of time and can't quite get it to work)

I have some stupid questions I'm saving up to post after I move...I keep getting to the library not long before they close -- they're about to kick me out again!

--Nora

[Nora]

Thanks for the birthday wishes for Charlie. The cake didn't make it to Halloween and it wasn't Charlie who ate most of it. [:D]

Did anyone see my picture for photo of the day the other day? It isn't the best, but it's OK...the sun went behind a cloud about 4 seconds before I took the picture, and I was only using my little old digital camera. I drive past that bridge almost every day & it's a nice view.

http://www.trains.com/photogallery/gallery_large.asp?idObjectLibraryGUID={483DA960-D547-424F-9216-7D1D55F1D251}&idMenuCategory=1&idMenuSubCategory=15&idMenuMinorCategory=1501

(might have to cut and paste that, I am out of time and can't quite get it to work)

I have some stupid questions I'm saving up to post after I move...I keep getting to the library not long before they close -- they're about to kick me out again!

--Nora

[JoeKoh]

Yes Nora
it looked good to me.Librarians can be a fiesty bunch.maybe you should have brought the cake with you!
stay safe
Joe

[JoeKoh]

Yes Nora
it looked good to me.Librarians can be a fiesty bunch.maybe you should have brought the cake with you!
stay safe
Joe

[yellowducky]

I have a question. How did standard guage get to be 4'8&1/2"? FDM
If this is answered on another page, please point me to it. Thank you.

[yellowducky]

I have a question. How did standard guage get to be 4'8&1/2"? FDM
If this is answered on another page, please point me to it. Thank you.

[Modelcar]

....Was it the tread width of a Roman Chariot.....Seems like this is a story I heard somewhere....

[Modelcar]

....Was it the tread width of a Roman Chariot.....Seems like this is a story I heard somewhere....

[Anonymous]

I need help for someone who is taking a train trip to Seattle from say Texas. They emailed me and ask how they would find Amtrak frequencies so they could listen to the scanner on the train. I don't have an answer for them but know someone out there does. I am not exactly sure when their trip is, but I believe it is later this month. So any help you can offer would help them and who knows how many other people.

Thanks in advance for your help. [:)]

[Anonymous]

I need help for someone who is taking a train trip to Seattle from say Texas. They emailed me and ask how they would find Amtrak frequencies so they could listen to the scanner on the train. I don't have an answer for them but know someone out there does. I am not exactly sure when their trip is, but I believe it is later this month. So any help you can offer would help them and who knows how many other people.

Thanks in advance for your help. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Three stupid ?'s

1.) Is there a web page like the "Bullsheet" for other railways than the CSX?

2.) What trains (ex. Z-CHIDEN-08-01) does BNSF run through the Chicago sub.? aka. BNSF Metra commuter line

3.) Whats with the big boom in AC traction and what is it?

[Anonymous]

Three stupid ?'s

1.) Is there a web page like the "Bullsheet" for other railways than the CSX?

2.) What trains (ex. Z-CHIDEN-08-01) does BNSF run through the Chicago sub.? aka. BNSF Metra commuter line

3.) Whats with the big boom in AC traction and what is it?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

I need help for someone who is taking a train trip to Seattle from say Texas. They emailed me and ask how they would find Amtrak frequencies so they could listen to the scanner on the train. I don't have an answer for them but know someone out there does. I am not exactly sure when their trip is, but I believe it is later this month. So any help you can offer would help them and who knows how many other people.

Thanks in advance for your help. [:)]

Please somebody help these nice people with an answer. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

I need help for someone who is taking a train trip to Seattle from say Texas. They emailed me and ask how they would find Amtrak frequencies so they could listen to the scanner on the train. I don't have an answer for them but know someone out there does. I am not exactly sure when their trip is, but I believe it is later this month. So any help you can offer would help them and who knows how many other people.

Thanks in advance for your help. [:)]

Please somebody help these nice people with an answer. [:)]