Bad train pictures

[tree68]

This thread will probably never die...

I've had this one rolling around in the ol' noggin for a while, and it just came to the head of the list again.

We're all pretty aware that train handling is a complex task. My limited exposure at the "controls" (via MSTS and Trainz) more than confirms that. I often am close enough to defect detectors to hear the reports, which now include train speed around here. One DED/HBD I hear is on a relatively straight and level stretch of rail, and I almost always hear the trains passing it being within an MPH of the local track speed (40).

So - a question for the mainline engineers among us - The throttle is famously known to have 8 notches (seems like some of the "console" locos might have an infinitely variable throttle, based on MSTS. I could be wrong and haven't run my MSTS in a while). Given a train with an adequate horsepower/tonnage ratio and a track profile that is relatively consistent, if not level, how often does the engineer manage to find equilibrium - not having to adjust the throttle all the time to maintain a consistent speed? In other words, are there times when notch 6 1/4 would be nice to have?

[tree68]

This thread will probably never die...

I've had this one rolling around in the ol' noggin for a while, and it just came to the head of the list again.

We're all pretty aware that train handling is a complex task. My limited exposure at the "controls" (via MSTS and Trainz) more than confirms that. I often am close enough to defect detectors to hear the reports, which now include train speed around here. One DED/HBD I hear is on a relatively straight and level stretch of rail, and I almost always hear the trains passing it being within an MPH of the local track speed (40).

So - a question for the mainline engineers among us - The throttle is famously known to have 8 notches (seems like some of the "console" locos might have an infinitely variable throttle, based on MSTS. I could be wrong and haven't run my MSTS in a while). Given a train with an adequate horsepower/tonnage ratio and a track profile that is relatively consistent, if not level, how often does the engineer manage to find equilibrium - not having to adjust the throttle all the time to maintain a consistent speed? In other words, are there times when notch 6 1/4 would be nice to have?

[Modelcar]

...No need for me to say more.

[Modelcar]

...No need for me to say more.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

M C [:)] You dirty bird you [}:)] [:p] [;)] [8D] [:D]

Question for you [?]

You mentioned "Railbanked" in another thread. I think I have heard of it before but memory doesn't quite recall all the pertinent details. Would you give it a little jolt, please sir, and thank you. [?] [^] [:)]

I'll beat MC to the punch - from a search:

What is Railbanking? Railbanking (as defined by the National Trails System Act, 16 USC 1247 (d)) is a voluntary agreement between a railroad company and a trail agency to use an out-of-service rail corridor as a trail until some railroad might need the corridor again for rail service. Because a railbanked corridor is not considered abandoned, it can be sold, leased or donated to a trail manager without reverting to adjacent landowners. The railbanking provisions of the National Trails System Act as adopted by Congress in 1983 have preserved 4,431 miles of rail corridors in 33 states that would otherwise have been abandoned.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

M C [:)] You dirty bird you [}:)] [:p] [;)] [8D] [:D]

Question for you [?]

You mentioned "Railbanked" in another thread. I think I have heard of it before but memory doesn't quite recall all the pertinent details. Would you give it a little jolt, please sir, and thank you. [?] [^] [:)]

I'll beat MC to the punch - from a search:

What is Railbanking? Railbanking (as defined by the National Trails System Act, 16 USC 1247 (d)) is a voluntary agreement between a railroad company and a trail agency to use an out-of-service rail corridor as a trail until some railroad might need the corridor again for rail service. Because a railbanked corridor is not considered abandoned, it can be sold, leased or donated to a trail manager without reverting to adjacent landowners. The railbanking provisions of the National Trails System Act as adopted by Congress in 1983 have preserved 4,431 miles of rail corridors in 33 states that would otherwise have been abandoned.

[Anonymous]

M C [:)] You dirty bird you [}:)] [:p] [;)] [8D] [:D]

Question for you [?]

You mentioned "Railbanked" in another thread. I think I have heard of it before but memory doesn't quite recall all the pertinent details. Would you give it a little jolt, please sir, and thank you. [?] [^] [:)]

[Anonymous]

M C [:)] You dirty bird you [}:)] [:p] [;)] [8D] [:D]

Question for you [?]

You mentioned "Railbanked" in another thread. I think I have heard of it before but memory doesn't quite recall all the pertinent details. Would you give it a little jolt, please sir, and thank you. [?] [^] [:)]

[Anonymous]

Can anyone actually tell us the details of what happened to the 3985? I don't mean "a pipe froze and broke", I mean details. [}:)]

I would bet this was not a normal occurance for steam engines. I have heard they usually left valves opened a little to prevent such happenings. So what happened here? It is kind of ironic that a steam engine based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, would have this happen in St. Louis, Missouri.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone actually tell us the details of what happened to the 3985? I don't mean "a pipe froze and broke", I mean details. [}:)]

I would bet this was not a normal occurance for steam engines. I have heard they usually left valves opened a little to prevent such happenings. So what happened here? It is kind of ironic that a steam engine based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, would have this happen in St. Louis, Missouri.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Amtrak is still hauling mail and also has some outstanding contracts for its Expresstrak refrigerated service.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Amtrak is still hauling mail and also has some outstanding contracts for its Expresstrak refrigerated service.

[JoeKoh]

Ed
it just proves what we always tell new posters ask questions we'll find the answer.somwhere.
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

Ed
it just proves what we always tell new posters ask questions we'll find the answer.somwhere.
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

Imagne what this thread would look like "old-school-style?"

I'll drink to that, Ed.

[Anonymous]

Imagne what this thread would look like "old-school-style?"

I'll drink to that, Ed.

[Anonymous]

Amen, Ed. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Amen, Ed. [:)]

[edblysard]

Actually,
It proves how smart we all are.
Only truly smart people would be willing to address their "stupid questions" to the people who can answer them, on a forum designed just for that reason.

The only stupid question is the one not asked.

Any wonder this one thread has the most views, and replies?
I would bet there has been quite a few folks who view this thread, in hopes that their "stupid question" is asked, and answered, by someone else besides themselves.

Ed

[edblysard]

Actually,
It proves how smart we all are.
Only truly smart people would be willing to address their "stupid questions" to the people who can answer them, on a forum designed just for that reason.

The only stupid question is the one not asked.

Any wonder this one thread has the most views, and replies?
I would bet there has been quite a few folks who view this thread, in hopes that their "stupid question" is asked, and answered, by someone else besides themselves.

Ed

[espeefoamer]

10,000 stupid questions.Is this some kind of a record?[?][^]

[espeefoamer]

10,000 stupid questions.Is this some kind of a record?[?][^]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by talbanese

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

WHOOSH!!!![:0]

What was that? It was the 10,000 Barrier!! Broken!!!
[:D][8D][:D][8D][8D]

Does this mean we are really stupid or really smart[?]

I believe that would mean that their are a lot more eduacted people on this forum thanks to this thread, and a lot of people willing to learn and even more people willing to share their knowledge.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by talbanese

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

WHOOSH!!!![:0]

What was that? It was the 10,000 Barrier!! Broken!!!
[:D][8D][:D][8D][8D]

Does this mean we are really stupid or really smart[?]

I believe that would mean that their are a lot more eduacted people on this forum thanks to this thread, and a lot of people willing to learn and even more people willing to share their knowledge.

[JoeKoh]

Tom
amtrak usually hauls mail too.maybe that is what its doing.
stay safe.
way to go on the thread idea Nora!
Joe

[JoeKoh]

Tom
amtrak usually hauls mail too.maybe that is what its doing.
stay safe.
way to go on the thread idea Nora!
Joe

[Anonymous]

I thought Amtrak was out of the freight business? I am still seeing LD trains pulling up to 12 road railer cars at least once a week. This week - 2 road railers.

[Anonymous]

I thought Amtrak was out of the freight business? I am still seeing LD trains pulling up to 12 road railer cars at least once a week. This week - 2 road railers.

[Anonymous]

Nora [:)]

Give yourself a "pat on the back" from me (you will of course have to use your own arm. [;)] )

I think this deserves a Party, and a big one at that. [:o)] [:I] [8)] [8D] [:p]

How about it Erik (Bergie) ?

[Anonymous]

Nora [:)]

Give yourself a "pat on the back" from me (you will of course have to use your own arm. [;)] )

I think this deserves a Party, and a big one at that. [:o)] [:I] [8)] [8D] [:p]

How about it Erik (Bergie) ?