Bad train pictures

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by goboard

Hi Nora,

Looked at your pix.

The top structure is either for loading the hoppers in the foreground, or for engine servicing. Because it appears to be a conveyor structure which feeds funnels in the supports, I am guessing this is used for filling hoppers. Otherwise, I would say it is for sander refills on locomotives, except that the sand must be kept dry and would be fed through pipes rather than conveyors. You can see the vacuum tubes running off of the funnels, which is kind of confusing, but I would imagine that this is a transload facility which feeds pellet material not succeptable to moisture.

The CSX MOW equipment appears to be either a tamper or a track spiker. Because I can't see any spike feeding apparatus, I am guessing this is a tamper. The fingers on the front lower into the ballast and compress it to support the ties.

The last picture is a series of locos awaiting servicing. What happens is regional RRs and shortlines contract rehabilitation work on second-hand units purchased from Class 1 RRs. The locos are shipped to a large engine maintenance area on a Class 1 (like CSX) where they are rebuilt and then delivered to the smaller RRs which don't have heavy equipment facilities. They are also repainted, although some shortlines choose to do their own external bodywork. These contracts keep steady work for the loco shops, instead of having to furlough employees depending upon seasonal fluctuations in workload.

Yeah, we had something similar work on tracks when railroad was replacing ties on the old branch near my house.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by goboard

Hi Nora,

Looked at your pix.

The top structure is either for loading the hoppers in the foreground, or for engine servicing. Because it appears to be a conveyor structure which feeds funnels in the supports, I am guessing this is used for filling hoppers. Otherwise, I would say it is for sander refills on locomotives, except that the sand must be kept dry and would be fed through pipes rather than conveyors. You can see the vacuum tubes running off of the funnels, which is kind of confusing, but I would imagine that this is a transload facility which feeds pellet material not succeptable to moisture.

The CSX MOW equipment appears to be either a tamper or a track spiker. Because I can't see any spike feeding apparatus, I am guessing this is a tamper. The fingers on the front lower into the ballast and compress it to support the ties.

The last picture is a series of locos awaiting servicing. What happens is regional RRs and shortlines contract rehabilitation work on second-hand units purchased from Class 1 RRs. The locos are shipped to a large engine maintenance area on a Class 1 (like CSX) where they are rebuilt and then delivered to the smaller RRs which don't have heavy equipment facilities. They are also repainted, although some shortlines choose to do their own external bodywork. These contracts keep steady work for the loco shops, instead of having to furlough employees depending upon seasonal fluctuations in workload.

Yeah, we had something similar work on tracks when railroad was replacing ties on the old branch near my house.

[edblysard]

The structure is a sanding facility. The dried sand is blown up the black tubes, and stored in the bunkes, or the box like funnels, gravity feed delivers the sand to the locomotive. The walkway is there to allow service to the bunkers, lucky yard crews, its covered, ours is open.
The equipment is a tamper. The arms on the front reach down, lift the track and ties a few inches, the fingers on the part that looks like a upside down bottle jack, reach down and tamp and repack the ballast under the ties. Add the correct accessories, and this same piece of equipment does double duty as a spike puller/spike driver.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

The structure is a sanding facility. The dried sand is blown up the black tubes, and stored in the bunkes, or the box like funnels, gravity feed delivers the sand to the locomotive. The walkway is there to allow service to the bunkers, lucky yard crews, its covered, ours is open.
The equipment is a tamper. The arms on the front reach down, lift the track and ties a few inches, the fingers on the part that looks like a upside down bottle jack, reach down and tamp and repack the ballast under the ties. Add the correct accessories, and this same piece of equipment does double duty as a spike puller/spike driver.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

Wabash,

Item 1 and 2 are the only two FRA legitamate brake testings allowed. The pressure for a train must be read either by an air guage fitted to a glad hand, or through a EOT. Pressure must be built up to a minimum 75 pounds before applying the brakes. Once applied, either a car knocker, brakeman, or conductor must walk his train to make sure that the brakes have all applied. 5 lbs leakage is correct. Some railroads have tighted up to 2 lbs. Engines have their test, and the train has its. Both must be conducted. Only time a train must not be walked if the train is in route and the air "dumps" and the train is able to make communication with the EOT, pressure builds back up. If EOT has lost communication, and cannot be reset, pressure must be built back up, and train must be walked. If the EOT fails, train must reduce speed accordingly, until a replacement can be tested and switched. Had this happened, had to walk a coal drag, no footing, no shoulder, in a swamp, on the C&O, not fun.

Take care,

R....

[Anonymous]

Wabash,

Item 1 and 2 are the only two FRA legitamate brake testings allowed. The pressure for a train must be read either by an air guage fitted to a glad hand, or through a EOT. Pressure must be built up to a minimum 75 pounds before applying the brakes. Once applied, either a car knocker, brakeman, or conductor must walk his train to make sure that the brakes have all applied. 5 lbs leakage is correct. Some railroads have tighted up to 2 lbs. Engines have their test, and the train has its. Both must be conducted. Only time a train must not be walked if the train is in route and the air "dumps" and the train is able to make communication with the EOT, pressure builds back up. If EOT has lost communication, and cannot be reset, pressure must be built back up, and train must be walked. If the EOT fails, train must reduce speed accordingly, until a replacement can be tested and switched. Had this happened, had to walk a coal drag, no footing, no shoulder, in a swamp, on the C&O, not fun.

Take care,

R....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railpac

Ok, here we go, (lol)
altough not entirely a stupid question, I need to know how to make donations tax deductable, I am going to start the ALCo preservation society of St. Louis, MO. and I have my eye on an operating RS-3 for only $30,000 (not bad I think). So does any body have any ideas or suggestions? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John Check with the railroad museum there in St. Louis. Right now its name eludes me but I am sure you know which one (if there are more than one) I am talking about. I bet they can give you some info that might be very helpful to you.

Stay safe, and Look, Listen, and L I V E

Don't forget the troops

Ed for president

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railpac

Ok, here we go, (lol)
altough not entirely a stupid question, I need to know how to make donations tax deductable, I am going to start the ALCo preservation society of St. Louis, MO. and I have my eye on an operating RS-3 for only $30,000 (not bad I think). So does any body have any ideas or suggestions? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John Check with the railroad museum there in St. Louis. Right now its name eludes me but I am sure you know which one (if there are more than one) I am talking about. I bet they can give you some info that might be very helpful to you.

Stay safe, and Look, Listen, and L I V E

Don't forget the troops

Ed for president

[Anonymous]

Signals...
There are two ways for a signal to go green, or "proceed" and tell the engineer to go.
1. CTC..Central Traffic Control ...think remote control from a dispatcher miles away who turns a switch (old days) or touches a computer screen (now days) to set up the signal.
2. ABS...automatic block signals...this is automatic, and the signal goes green when whatever made it go red is gone. The engineer will move the train if the rules (another set of discussions) allow him to go.

There is a lot more to signals, but the basics are "fail safe" if something is wrong or broken, the signals are set to stop, even if there is no signal when one is expected, the engineer must stop.

Moving a train requires meeting operating rules and signal safety. Few have ever been hurt by a standing train.

Be SAFE..Stay in the Clear (that means off the railroad tracks)

[Anonymous]

Signals...
There are two ways for a signal to go green, or "proceed" and tell the engineer to go.
1. CTC..Central Traffic Control ...think remote control from a dispatcher miles away who turns a switch (old days) or touches a computer screen (now days) to set up the signal.
2. ABS...automatic block signals...this is automatic, and the signal goes green when whatever made it go red is gone. The engineer will move the train if the rules (another set of discussions) allow him to go.

There is a lot more to signals, but the basics are "fail safe" if something is wrong or broken, the signals are set to stop, even if there is no signal when one is expected, the engineer must stop.

Moving a train requires meeting operating rules and signal safety. Few have ever been hurt by a standing train.

Be SAFE..Stay in the Clear (that means off the railroad tracks)

[Anonymous]

Hey Ed,

Yeah, I would have said it was a sanding facility, too, except if you look a the top walkways, they're sloped. There's no need for this unless they're running a conveyor feed. My guess would be that the conveyors are covered, not the walkways. Look at the extra support on the right side. . . you don't need that kind of thing for a walkway! And the RR is not going to over-engineer some kind of custom walkway for the employees. You and I both know, they would make them climb a ladder.

The only thing I can't figure out is why they would conveyor the sand from a storage pile, unless they have dryers on the "bunkers."

We need more info, Nora!

[Anonymous]

Hey Ed,

Yeah, I would have said it was a sanding facility, too, except if you look a the top walkways, they're sloped. There's no need for this unless they're running a conveyor feed. My guess would be that the conveyors are covered, not the walkways. Look at the extra support on the right side. . . you don't need that kind of thing for a walkway! And the RR is not going to over-engineer some kind of custom walkway for the employees. You and I both know, they would make them climb a ladder.

The only thing I can't figure out is why they would conveyor the sand from a storage pile, unless they have dryers on the "bunkers."

We need more info, Nora!

[Nora]

Well, I was passing by there again today, and I did notice that the thing sloping down to the right of the picture does kind of look like a conveyor, but I can't be sure, I could only look for a tiny second because I was driving.

[[Edited to add -- I think that the part that looked a bit like a conveyor was either not covered, or covered with something clear, because I couldn't see a "roof" on it.]]

There did appear to be several engines sitting under the structure today, although I could be wrong about that too. It's all some distance from the road with several tracks in between and it can be kind of hard to tell exactly what's where. What kind of information do you need? I thought *I* was asking for information, haha.

Oh, and apparently they are using the orange thing at the end of the street as a tamper (it is gone now); I saw someone over near the CSX trailer by our house and I asked. There has also been some other interesting equipment around, but I didn't ask about that because the guy seemed to be about 90% of the way to deaf and I was getting tired of repeating myself [:D]

[Nora]

Well, I was passing by there again today, and I did notice that the thing sloping down to the right of the picture does kind of look like a conveyor, but I can't be sure, I could only look for a tiny second because I was driving.

[[Edited to add -- I think that the part that looked a bit like a conveyor was either not covered, or covered with something clear, because I couldn't see a "roof" on it.]]

There did appear to be several engines sitting under the structure today, although I could be wrong about that too. It's all some distance from the road with several tracks in between and it can be kind of hard to tell exactly what's where. What kind of information do you need? I thought *I* was asking for information, haha.

Oh, and apparently they are using the orange thing at the end of the street as a tamper (it is gone now); I saw someone over near the CSX trailer by our house and I asked. There has also been some other interesting equipment around, but I didn't ask about that because the guy seemed to be about 90% of the way to deaf and I was getting tired of repeating myself [:D]

[Anonymous]

Hi Nora,

I was just wondering if the long gantry (on the right side of the picture) runs down to a large sandpile or a storage building? I didn't know if you could tell from your vantage point.

If there were engines sitting under it today, then I am sure it is as Ed says, a series of sanding towers. The thing that confused me were the walkways, and what most certainly appears to be a conveyor arrangement (like you would find in a quarry).

[Anonymous]

Hi Nora,

I was just wondering if the long gantry (on the right side of the picture) runs down to a large sandpile or a storage building? I didn't know if you could tell from your vantage point.

If there were engines sitting under it today, then I am sure it is as Ed says, a series of sanding towers. The thing that confused me were the walkways, and what most certainly appears to be a conveyor arrangement (like you would find in a quarry).

[edblysard]

Quite possible that they are conveyors, and the sand is stored elsewere. But, and this is based only on how we do it here, the sand is delivered by a contractor, stored in a ground level dryer, which uses natural gas and a blower to heat and dry the sand even more, then its blown up into the bunkers through a large tube.
The sand, when delivered, is dry already, when they off load it, its so dry everything around the shop gets covered in fine, almost talcum power fine dust.
It comes in a truck shaped like a small covered hopper, with seperate compartments, and a blower to off load.
About once a week, one of the shop guys climbs up to the bunkers, and takes a tool that resembles a chimney sweeper's broom, and reams the mouth of the out flow chutes.
I asked him why, he said to prevent any sand that might build up there from getting to thick, it absorbs moisture, and can clog it real quick.
They are real picky about the quality and cleanliness of the sand, they check a sample before they let them load the bunkers, seems it a real pain in the keister to clean out the sand box on locomotives, almost no access, so it has to be clean and dry, with zero debris in the sand, to prevent the sanders from getting clogged.
The only reason I assumed they were walkways was due to the location of the yard, dont live up north, but bet snow would accumulate up there real quick, and ice too. Made sense to me from a liability stand point to cover any exposed walkway that would be used regularly.

But I could also see having a large ground level storage bunker, due to the number of engines serviced, and re filling the overhead bunkers on a as needed basis, so a conveyor would work too.

The outfeed hoses look to small for any plastic expect powdered PVC, Dow, Phillips and Solvay, at least down here, load directly from the processing plant with 24 inch hoses directly into the covered hoppers, and do so under sheds to prevent contamination.
Of course, if you ask them, its all surgical grade plastic!!!
Spill some and find out how fast the price and contents of one of those hoppers goes up.!
Goboard is right, we need more photos.
Shucks, now you have a good excuse to go take more pictures.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Quite possible that they are conveyors, and the sand is stored elsewere. But, and this is based only on how we do it here, the sand is delivered by a contractor, stored in a ground level dryer, which uses natural gas and a blower to heat and dry the sand even more, then its blown up into the bunkers through a large tube.
The sand, when delivered, is dry already, when they off load it, its so dry everything around the shop gets covered in fine, almost talcum power fine dust.
It comes in a truck shaped like a small covered hopper, with seperate compartments, and a blower to off load.
About once a week, one of the shop guys climbs up to the bunkers, and takes a tool that resembles a chimney sweeper's broom, and reams the mouth of the out flow chutes.
I asked him why, he said to prevent any sand that might build up there from getting to thick, it absorbs moisture, and can clog it real quick.
They are real picky about the quality and cleanliness of the sand, they check a sample before they let them load the bunkers, seems it a real pain in the keister to clean out the sand box on locomotives, almost no access, so it has to be clean and dry, with zero debris in the sand, to prevent the sanders from getting clogged.
The only reason I assumed they were walkways was due to the location of the yard, dont live up north, but bet snow would accumulate up there real quick, and ice too. Made sense to me from a liability stand point to cover any exposed walkway that would be used regularly.

But I could also see having a large ground level storage bunker, due to the number of engines serviced, and re filling the overhead bunkers on a as needed basis, so a conveyor would work too.

The outfeed hoses look to small for any plastic expect powdered PVC, Dow, Phillips and Solvay, at least down here, load directly from the processing plant with 24 inch hoses directly into the covered hoppers, and do so under sheds to prevent contamination.
Of course, if you ask them, its all surgical grade plastic!!!
Spill some and find out how fast the price and contents of one of those hoppers goes up.!
Goboard is right, we need more photos.
Shucks, now you have a good excuse to go take more pictures.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, Hey Nora, you have probally read all the columns like Dear Abby, Ann Landers, and many others. I was justing wondering if we shouldn't change the name of this thread to ASK ED. [:D] Who else is as knowledgeable and articulate as our southern statesman friend. [:)] I truely am amazed at his knowledge and inspired by his willingness to share with us and expand our knowledge. If it wasn't for Ed I would still be wondering about many of the questions that have been ask here.

Let's hear it for ED. Three Cheers.

Stay Safe and Look, Listen, and LIVE

Don't Forget the Troops

Ed for president

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, Hey Nora, you have probally read all the columns like Dear Abby, Ann Landers, and many others. I was justing wondering if we shouldn't change the name of this thread to ASK ED. [:D] Who else is as knowledgeable and articulate as our southern statesman friend. [:)] I truely am amazed at his knowledge and inspired by his willingness to share with us and expand our knowledge. If it wasn't for Ed I would still be wondering about many of the questions that have been ask here.

Let's hear it for ED. Three Cheers.

Stay Safe and Look, Listen, and LIVE

Don't Forget the Troops

Ed for president

[Mookie]

Watch out Ed - he's looking to be put on the presidential payroll! Veep? Cabinet? Ambassador to.....Nebraska?

But he does have some mighty nice airplanes for Air Force One.....

Think about it!

Jen

[Mookie]

Watch out Ed - he's looking to be put on the presidential payroll! Veep? Cabinet? Ambassador to.....Nebraska?

But he does have some mighty nice airplanes for Air Force One.....

Think about it!

Jen

[edblysard]

Oh, I have just the job for him!
Watch out, Mr Gunn.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Watch out Ed - he's looking to be put on the presidential payroll! Veep? Cabinet? Ambassador to.....Nebraska?

But he does have some mighty nice airplanes for Air Force One.....

Think about it!

Jen

[edblysard]

Oh, I have just the job for him!
Watch out, Mr Gunn.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Watch out Ed - he's looking to be put on the presidential payroll! Veep? Cabinet? Ambassador to.....Nebraska?

But he does have some mighty nice airplanes for Air Force One.....

Think about it!

Jen

[Nora]

About the sanding tower:

Went over there again today JUST to try to answer you guys' questions. It looks like the thing on the right that looks like a conveyor doesn't go anywhere near the ground; it stops quite a distance above the ground and is supported by or attached to some type of round thing, kind of like a silo. Maybe that's where some of the sand is kept?

Can't really get any better picture easily due to camera limitations and the location of the yard.

And further trips over there may be curtailed if my 2 year old keeps up the behavior he started today: upon driving past the yard, he started repeating something that sounded suspiciously like "Train! Oh s***!" [:0] Driving back the other direction past the yard, he did it again, but hasn't said it since.

[Nora]

About the sanding tower:

Went over there again today JUST to try to answer you guys' questions. It looks like the thing on the right that looks like a conveyor doesn't go anywhere near the ground; it stops quite a distance above the ground and is supported by or attached to some type of round thing, kind of like a silo. Maybe that's where some of the sand is kept?

Can't really get any better picture easily due to camera limitations and the location of the yard.

And further trips over there may be curtailed if my 2 year old keeps up the behavior he started today: upon driving past the yard, he started repeating something that sounded suspiciously like "Train! Oh s***!" [:0] Driving back the other direction past the yard, he did it again, but hasn't said it since.

[edblysard]

If, at 2, thats the worst he said, count yourself lucky!

Round thing that looks like a silo...
Sounds like that is exactly what it is, a silo filled with sand. Would also bet the walkway/conveyor is a pipe bridge, for the pipes needed to fill the upper bunkers.

Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

If, at 2, thats the worst he said, count yourself lucky!

Round thing that looks like a silo...
Sounds like that is exactly what it is, a silo filled with sand. Would also bet the walkway/conveyor is a pipe bridge, for the pipes needed to fill the upper bunkers.

Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Oh, I have just the job for him!
Watch out, Mr Gunn.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Watch out Ed - he's looking to be put on the presidential payroll! Veep? Cabinet? Ambassador to.....Nebraska?

But he does have some mighty nice airplanes for Air Force One.....

Think about it!

Jen

Oh boy, you mean I get to be the big shot at Amtrak. WOW, free cab rides for ALL my forum friends. Just wait till you see the new locos. Extra long cabs with super soft seats for all you guys and gals. Don't forget the dine in feature at no extra cost. Prime Rib, 2 inch thick New York Sirloins, crab legs, scallops, lobster and then we get to the entree. [:D]

Ed you know when the president rides a train, the train get a special symbol. I can't remember what it is right now. I know his airplane is called Air Force One. What is the symbol for the train. I know it is not Train One, but what is it? Is it POTUS?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Oh, I have just the job for him!
Watch out, Mr Gunn.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Watch out Ed - he's looking to be put on the presidential payroll! Veep? Cabinet? Ambassador to.....Nebraska?

But he does have some mighty nice airplanes for Air Force One.....

Think about it!

Jen

Oh boy, you mean I get to be the big shot at Amtrak. WOW, free cab rides for ALL my forum friends. Just wait till you see the new locos. Extra long cabs with super soft seats for all you guys and gals. Don't forget the dine in feature at no extra cost. Prime Rib, 2 inch thick New York Sirloins, crab legs, scallops, lobster and then we get to the entree. [:D]

Ed you know when the president rides a train, the train get a special symbol. I can't remember what it is right now. I know his airplane is called Air Force One. What is the symbol for the train. I know it is not Train One, but what is it? Is it POTUS?