Bad train pictures

[Nora]

OK, this does not warrant a thread of its own, so I'll just add it here...we're moving this weekend, and while I will probably be around a little over the next couple of days, I don't know exactly when we'll pack up the computer.

The whole moving thing is a big saga, but we are moving into an apartment for a couple weeks before moving into a house, and we're not going to bother to hook up internet access for just a few weeks. Might go to the library to check my email, but I might not even do that.

So if anyone responds to any of my posts over the next few days or weeks and I am not around, I'm not ignoring anyone, I'm probably just having a nervous breakdown in the middle of moving.

--Nora

[Nora]

OK, this does not warrant a thread of its own, so I'll just add it here...we're moving this weekend, and while I will probably be around a little over the next couple of days, I don't know exactly when we'll pack up the computer.

The whole moving thing is a big saga, but we are moving into an apartment for a couple weeks before moving into a house, and we're not going to bother to hook up internet access for just a few weeks. Might go to the library to check my email, but I might not even do that.

So if anyone responds to any of my posts over the next few days or weeks and I am not around, I'm not ignoring anyone, I'm probably just having a nervous breakdown in the middle of moving.

--Nora

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

ns engines 2214 2373 are the old switchers engine 2214 is a 1500 hp sw1500 and the other 2373 is a mp15dc 1500 hp . that cute little research car with the cameras and lights and pretty paint job is a pain. it dont matter if you are working it or waiting on it to go by.

Thanks for answering my question about the two engines. They did look old, and very tiny compared to the other engines in the train.

Why is the research car such a pain? I did notice that there was a train just sitting and waiting nearby for muuuuuch longer than usual (like 2 hours) -- maybe that was the research car snarling things up?

--Nora

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

ns engines 2214 2373 are the old switchers engine 2214 is a 1500 hp sw1500 and the other 2373 is a mp15dc 1500 hp . that cute little research car with the cameras and lights and pretty paint job is a pain. it dont matter if you are working it or waiting on it to go by.

Thanks for answering my question about the two engines. They did look old, and very tiny compared to the other engines in the train.

Why is the research car such a pain? I did notice that there was a train just sitting and waiting nearby for muuuuuch longer than usual (like 2 hours) -- maybe that was the research car snarling things up?

--Nora

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Is this what you saw. I probably didn't do the link right but it is a picture of what you described. The car does look like a dynometer car, not sure what the other is, looks like a booster unit, maybe to provide power to the car. The pictures list them as track geometry cars??

http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/ns/ns33.htm

That's exactly what I saw, I think it's even the very same one because the one I saw did have #33 on it. I didn't see any soybeans, though. [:)] Thanks for the link.

--Nora

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Is this what you saw. I probably didn't do the link right but it is a picture of what you described. The car does look like a dynometer car, not sure what the other is, looks like a booster unit, maybe to provide power to the car. The pictures list them as track geometry cars??

http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/ns/ns33.htm

That's exactly what I saw, I think it's even the very same one because the one I saw did have #33 on it. I didn't see any soybeans, though. [:)] Thanks for the link.

--Nora

[wabash1]

ns engines 2214 2373 are the old switchers engine 2214 is a 1500 hp sw1500 and the other 2373 is a mp15dc 1500 hp . that cute little research car with the cameras and lights and pretty paint job is a pain. it dont matter if you are working it or waiting on it to go by.

[wabash1]

ns engines 2214 2373 are the old switchers engine 2214 is a 1500 hp sw1500 and the other 2373 is a mp15dc 1500 hp . that cute little research car with the cameras and lights and pretty paint job is a pain. it dont matter if you are working it or waiting on it to go by.

[dharmon]

Is this what you saw. I probably didn't do the link right but it is a picture of what you described. The car does look like a dynometer car, not sure what the other is, looks like a booster unit, maybe to provide power to the car. The pictures list them as track geometry cars??

http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/ns/ns33.htm

Also there was this, which looks like a converted standard passenger car, for what I don't know:

http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/ns/ns32.htm

Norfolk Southern Research netted the below. Not sure if it ties into one of the cars or not.

Greasing the Skids . . . or Rails with Soybeans

SoyTrak™ is a new, environmentally friendly grease made out of soybeans and used to lubricate the rail curves of railroad tracks. It’s processed and turned into grease on the farm where the soybeans are first picked. It is biodegradable and more efficient than petroleum grease in reducing wear because of its greater durability and capacity for reducing friction. SoyTrak™ is now in use on Norfolk Southern Railway.

The idea for a soybean-based lubricant came out of the University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) Ag-based Industrial Lubricants Research Program. Funding was provided in part by USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). CSREES is USDA’s lead agency for extramural research.

“ Norfolk Southern’s use of this grease gives new credibility to biobased industrial products,” said Carmela Bailey, National Program Leader for Agricultural Materials at CSREES. “The fact that this product results from a USDA-funded project shows a return on the public’s investment for agricultural-added research.”

The project began 3 years ago with pilot manufacturing plants on three farm sites where soybeans were picked and crushed. The meal was used for livestock feed and the oil to make grease. Two of the farm sites used a room temperature grease-blending process while the third used a high temperature process to produce SoyTrak™. Both summer- and winter- blends are available, and an all-season blend is now being developed.

To ensure quality, UNI researchers prepared and delivered component materials to the farm sites for blending. The finished greases were then brought back to the research facility for batch testing and packaging.

Norfolk Southern’s Research and Test Department in Roanoke, VA spent 3 years testing the grease to ensure it met the demanding requirements of freight railroads. Norfolk Southern operates 21,500 miles in 22 states and is the nation’s largest rail carrier of automotive parts and finished vehicles.

SoyTrak™ is just one of several dozen new industrial lubricants, greases, and base oils made from soybeans.

[dharmon]

Is this what you saw. I probably didn't do the link right but it is a picture of what you described. The car does look like a dynometer car, not sure what the other is, looks like a booster unit, maybe to provide power to the car. The pictures list them as track geometry cars??

http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/ns/ns33.htm

Also there was this, which looks like a converted standard passenger car, for what I don't know:

http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/ns/ns32.htm

Norfolk Southern Research netted the below. Not sure if it ties into one of the cars or not.

Greasing the Skids . . . or Rails with Soybeans

SoyTrak™ is a new, environmentally friendly grease made out of soybeans and used to lubricate the rail curves of railroad tracks. It’s processed and turned into grease on the farm where the soybeans are first picked. It is biodegradable and more efficient than petroleum grease in reducing wear because of its greater durability and capacity for reducing friction. SoyTrak™ is now in use on Norfolk Southern Railway.

The idea for a soybean-based lubricant came out of the University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) Ag-based Industrial Lubricants Research Program. Funding was provided in part by USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). CSREES is USDA’s lead agency for extramural research.

“ Norfolk Southern’s use of this grease gives new credibility to biobased industrial products,” said Carmela Bailey, National Program Leader for Agricultural Materials at CSREES. “The fact that this product results from a USDA-funded project shows a return on the public’s investment for agricultural-added research.”

The project began 3 years ago with pilot manufacturing plants on three farm sites where soybeans were picked and crushed. The meal was used for livestock feed and the oil to make grease. Two of the farm sites used a room temperature grease-blending process while the third used a high temperature process to produce SoyTrak™. Both summer- and winter- blends are available, and an all-season blend is now being developed.

To ensure quality, UNI researchers prepared and delivered component materials to the farm sites for blending. The finished greases were then brought back to the research facility for batch testing and packaging.

Norfolk Southern’s Research and Test Department in Roanoke, VA spent 3 years testing the grease to ensure it met the demanding requirements of freight railroads. Norfolk Southern operates 21,500 miles in 22 states and is the nation’s largest rail carrier of automotive parts and finished vehicles.

SoyTrak™ is just one of several dozen new industrial lubricants, greases, and base oils made from soybeans.

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

OK, does anyone have any idea how to find out what kind of engine I have seen if I only have the number of the engine? I've seen 2 runty, cute little engines recently (NS 2214 and NS 2373). But since I was in a moving car, and the trains were moving, my usual method of figuring out what kind of engine it is didn't work. (That would be reading the sign on the engine itself that says what kind it is [8D])

Also, today I saw a weird train with only two cars. They were very nice looking, painted burgundy and gold, one was a passenger car and the other was a very odd, strangely shaped car. It said "Norfolk Southern Research" on it and it went back and forth past us. What does that train do?


--Nora

Hi nora I'll take a crack at it.The two engines are probably ex-conrail gp-18s very small.email me and i'll know for sure.the car you refer to is probably a dynometer(i hope its spelled right) car. it checks the track for gage,and other deformities.
I hope this helps.[8D]
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

OK, does anyone have any idea how to find out what kind of engine I have seen if I only have the number of the engine? I've seen 2 runty, cute little engines recently (NS 2214 and NS 2373). But since I was in a moving car, and the trains were moving, my usual method of figuring out what kind of engine it is didn't work. (That would be reading the sign on the engine itself that says what kind it is [8D])

Also, today I saw a weird train with only two cars. They were very nice looking, painted burgundy and gold, one was a passenger car and the other was a very odd, strangely shaped car. It said "Norfolk Southern Research" on it and it went back and forth past us. What does that train do?


--Nora

Hi nora I'll take a crack at it.The two engines are probably ex-conrail gp-18s very small.email me and i'll know for sure.the car you refer to is probably a dynometer(i hope its spelled right) car. it checks the track for gage,and other deformities.
I hope this helps.[8D]
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

On you first question. Almost every unit has its own distinctive little feature.
Some have some big differences. You should be able to tell a GE unit from an EMD unit. Some smaller railroads (like ARR) have the special number pattern- usually first number means the amount of horsepower in thousands (ex.- in 2073 2 is the first # so engine might have 2000hp ) That doesn't apply to big rr companies- like BNSF's SD70MACs thay start with 9, but don't have 9000hp.
That method doesn't work all the time. What i do is compare pictures of locos and how each is different.
The two NS locos you have seen might be -- i'll make a bad guess -- Gp38 or something around. I'll stop here.

[Anonymous]

On you first question. Almost every unit has its own distinctive little feature.
Some have some big differences. You should be able to tell a GE unit from an EMD unit. Some smaller railroads (like ARR) have the special number pattern- usually first number means the amount of horsepower in thousands (ex.- in 2073 2 is the first # so engine might have 2000hp ) That doesn't apply to big rr companies- like BNSF's SD70MACs thay start with 9, but don't have 9000hp.
That method doesn't work all the time. What i do is compare pictures of locos and how each is different.
The two NS locos you have seen might be -- i'll make a bad guess -- Gp38 or something around. I'll stop here.

[Nora]

OK, does anyone have any idea how to find out what kind of engine I have seen if I only have the number of the engine? I've seen 2 runty, cute little engines recently (NS 2214 and NS 2373). But since I was in a moving car, and the trains were moving, my usual method of figuring out what kind of engine it is didn't work. (That would be reading the sign on the engine itself that says what kind it is [8D])

Also, today I saw a weird train with only two cars. They were very nice looking, painted burgundy and gold, one was a passenger car and the other was a very odd, strangely shaped car. It said "Norfolk Southern Research" on it and it went back and forth past us. What does that train do?

--Nora

[Nora]

OK, does anyone have any idea how to find out what kind of engine I have seen if I only have the number of the engine? I've seen 2 runty, cute little engines recently (NS 2214 and NS 2373). But since I was in a moving car, and the trains were moving, my usual method of figuring out what kind of engine it is didn't work. (That would be reading the sign on the engine itself that says what kind it is [8D])

Also, today I saw a weird train with only two cars. They were very nice looking, painted burgundy and gold, one was a passenger car and the other was a very odd, strangely shaped car. It said "Norfolk Southern Research" on it and it went back and forth past us. What does that train do?

--Nora

[wabash1]

You dont qualify to run in the yard at 10 mph they figure you cant get into trouble. you qualify on the area you are going to run. and that is all jobs from road switchers to thru freights. if you transfer ( hard to do when your a engineer) you retrain on that area and qualify. see you need senority to be a engineer and if you get cut off you go back to the ground. the new guys get to move around on system wide senority and they qualify as conductor on that area. i dont have system wide senority and dont want it.

training is done with another qualified engineer . what he says goes and when you get qualified it is done with the roadforman riding with you to see if you can handle a train and know where the signal and sidings are. it is not so much what slack action you get as it is knowing where you are.

[wabash1]

You dont qualify to run in the yard at 10 mph they figure you cant get into trouble. you qualify on the area you are going to run. and that is all jobs from road switchers to thru freights. if you transfer ( hard to do when your a engineer) you retrain on that area and qualify. see you need senority to be a engineer and if you get cut off you go back to the ground. the new guys get to move around on system wide senority and they qualify as conductor on that area. i dont have system wide senority and dont want it.

training is done with another qualified engineer . what he says goes and when you get qualified it is done with the roadforman riding with you to see if you can handle a train and know where the signal and sidings are. it is not so much what slack action you get as it is knowing where you are.

[Mookie]

Thanx MC - That is really interesting. I have seen several coil cars going thru in the last couple of days, but this is the first one with a set of lids - two cars worth! Even had little handles on top to take them off!

I will continue to watch for Red Streaks - I may have seen one, just trying to learn too much at once, so memory suffers!

Mookie

[Mookie]

Thanx MC - That is really interesting. I have seen several coil cars going thru in the last couple of days, but this is the first one with a set of lids - two cars worth! Even had little handles on top to take them off!

I will continue to watch for Red Streaks - I may have seen one, just trying to learn too much at once, so memory suffers!

Mookie

[mudchicken]

Ms. Mookie:
-some of the bottom dumps are also rotary (dual service) and some of those bottom dumps are remote control/air actuated with a "shoe" at the end of the car. The darwinian/McDonalds warning label is geared towards more than just railroaders, especially the 15-Watters at the power plants and in repair facilities who may especially be unfamiliar with what the car does (the railroad or car owner may not want the guy to get coal in his stockings before Christmas?) - Have seen, and I suspect Ed & Co. have seen too, where conventional coal hoppers have faulty or worn latches that suddenly discharge during switching or with rough train handling. When we got coal hoppers for ballast car use, this would happen) when a bottom dump opens on flat ground, the contents spill out 3-5 feet beyond the edge of tie in the walkway as well....Having had escort Yard Cleaners thru big yards, you do get to see what tumbles out of all kinds of railcars - You would be amazed...

"B" end is the end with the brake gear on it. (Some of the old DRGW cars had brake gear on both endsb because of mountain service, the "B" end had the triple valve)..."A" end is the OTHER end (sorta makes sense) ...and hope Ed, Wabash & IronKen have not encountered the kook putting razors on certain brake appliances, usually the bleeder valve or the brake handles......

On the "lids", I have often wondered how long those things last before they get lost or destroyed. It's rare to see a matched set on a car and rarer to see a car still with the set it started out with. Once saw a fiberglass one used by the homeless in LA as a community bathtub/jaccuzi near the LA "Sewer", er. um. River at First Street/ Mission Tower.

Will keep my camera handy for the next encounter with a loaded red streak in my travels. They tend to congregate in big yards near R.I.P. tracks, at scrapyards, fresh derailment sites and around heavy repair shops.

[mudchicken]

Ms. Mookie:
-some of the bottom dumps are also rotary (dual service) and some of those bottom dumps are remote control/air actuated with a "shoe" at the end of the car. The darwinian/McDonalds warning label is geared towards more than just railroaders, especially the 15-Watters at the power plants and in repair facilities who may especially be unfamiliar with what the car does (the railroad or car owner may not want the guy to get coal in his stockings before Christmas?) - Have seen, and I suspect Ed & Co. have seen too, where conventional coal hoppers have faulty or worn latches that suddenly discharge during switching or with rough train handling. When we got coal hoppers for ballast car use, this would happen) when a bottom dump opens on flat ground, the contents spill out 3-5 feet beyond the edge of tie in the walkway as well....Having had escort Yard Cleaners thru big yards, you do get to see what tumbles out of all kinds of railcars - You would be amazed...

"B" end is the end with the brake gear on it. (Some of the old DRGW cars had brake gear on both endsb because of mountain service, the "B" end had the triple valve)..."A" end is the OTHER end (sorta makes sense) ...and hope Ed, Wabash & IronKen have not encountered the kook putting razors on certain brake appliances, usually the bleeder valve or the brake handles......

On the "lids", I have often wondered how long those things last before they get lost or destroyed. It's rare to see a matched set on a car and rarer to see a car still with the set it started out with. Once saw a fiberglass one used by the homeless in LA as a community bathtub/jaccuzi near the LA "Sewer", er. um. River at First Street/ Mission Tower.

Will keep my camera handy for the next encounter with a loaded red streak in my travels. They tend to congregate in big yards near R.I.P. tracks, at scrapyards, fresh derailment sites and around heavy repair shops.

[dharmon]

When you say they qualify on terrain, do you mean as in qualified to fun in a certain district or area or quailified to run only in yards, flat land etc....There have been alot of discussions about seniority, being limited to a hub or system wide, but say you were working in Houston and transferred to say Chicago, you might retain relative senority but then would you have to requalify as an engineer for that area?

[dharmon]

When you say they qualify on terrain, do you mean as in qualified to fun in a certain district or area or quailified to run only in yards, flat land etc....There have been alot of discussions about seniority, being limited to a hub or system wide, but say you were working in Houston and transferred to say Chicago, you might retain relative senority but then would you have to requalify as an engineer for that area?

[wabash1]

Dan -Ed

engineers dont qualify on engines they qualify on terrain. the power they run with is of no importance. they give you a train to run and the power you get is what you use. the fra requires a roadforman to ride once a year with you to recertify you that you can do your job. a physical is required every 3 years ( maybe 2 not sure ) . this is to keep your lic. the lic you get says what you are alowed to do .( like your drivers lic) it states if you can run on certain railroads if you need glasses hearing aids etc. rules classes are required every year just like conductors ( on are road anyways)

as far as the new locomotives go i rather have the aar control stand than the desk top. some guys like the desk top but they are uncofortable to use no way to relax with them. and running one when switching is awful . you cant turn around to see anything. the running of ac traction motors with dc traction motors was against the rule until about a year ago now they dont care you run with what ever you get. the perpose of this was the ac traction motors would burn up the dc traction motors units now it seems like that may have been a hoax. not sure we just run what they give us.

i hope this answers your questions

[wabash1]

Dan -Ed

engineers dont qualify on engines they qualify on terrain. the power they run with is of no importance. they give you a train to run and the power you get is what you use. the fra requires a roadforman to ride once a year with you to recertify you that you can do your job. a physical is required every 3 years ( maybe 2 not sure ) . this is to keep your lic. the lic you get says what you are alowed to do .( like your drivers lic) it states if you can run on certain railroads if you need glasses hearing aids etc. rules classes are required every year just like conductors ( on are road anyways)

as far as the new locomotives go i rather have the aar control stand than the desk top. some guys like the desk top but they are uncofortable to use no way to relax with them. and running one when switching is awful . you cant turn around to see anything. the running of ac traction motors with dc traction motors was against the rule until about a year ago now they dont care you run with what ever you get. the perpose of this was the ac traction motors would burn up the dc traction motors units now it seems like that may have been a hoax. not sure we just run what they give us.

i hope this answers your questions

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Mookie:

Found a red streak yet?

yeah, but not on the railroad tracks! I am beginning to think I have only seen about 1/16th of what is out there to see. So I will keep looking very carefully - always see something new! And while I am here, I saw "lids" on some coil cars, which was kind of cool, since usually see the coils "uncovered". Looked like they were basting a chicken for supper (sorry...sort of....[}:)]) Anyway - saw a coal train with a mix of bottom dumps and rotary dumps all mixed up together. Do they sort them out at the plant? These were all the same marking - didn't write down which one, sorry again!

And....JHMX has cars marked A End and B End - ok - this one escapes me, but I am sure you will find it for me!

And - last one - for the Duh Awards - they are putting a McDonald's warning on bottom dumps - "Stand Clear of Door". Duh - or are there really people getting hurt on bottom dumps by standing with their feet under or close to them?

I await!

Da Mook

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Mookie:

Found a red streak yet?

yeah, but not on the railroad tracks! I am beginning to think I have only seen about 1/16th of what is out there to see. So I will keep looking very carefully - always see something new! And while I am here, I saw "lids" on some coil cars, which was kind of cool, since usually see the coils "uncovered". Looked like they were basting a chicken for supper (sorry...sort of....[}:)]) Anyway - saw a coal train with a mix of bottom dumps and rotary dumps all mixed up together. Do they sort them out at the plant? These were all the same marking - didn't write down which one, sorry again!

And....JHMX has cars marked A End and B End - ok - this one escapes me, but I am sure you will find it for me!

And - last one - for the Duh Awards - they are putting a McDonald's warning on bottom dumps - "Stand Clear of Door". Duh - or are there really people getting hurt on bottom dumps by standing with their feet under or close to them?

I await!

Da Mook

[mudchicken]

Mookie:

Found a red streak yet?

[mudchicken]

Mookie:

Found a red streak yet?