Bad train pictures

[Junctionfan]

How do you search for a specific thread without going through page per page and how can you look of a thread if you know the exact title or I.D number?

[Junctionfan]

How do you search for a specific thread without going through page per page and how can you look of a thread if you know the exact title or I.D number?

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

How do you search for a specific thread without going through page per page and how can you look of a thread if you know the exact title or I.D number?

Searches - Look at the top of the Forum page for the window marked "Search the forums...." Can't speak to the syntax, but a little experimentation should yield good results.

As for having the ID number, take a look at the URL in the address box at the top of your screen. Replace the TOPIC_ID=6646 with the ID you want, and away you go. Having the name puts you back into searches.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

How do you search for a specific thread without going through page per page and how can you look of a thread if you know the exact title or I.D number?

Searches - Look at the top of the Forum page for the window marked "Search the forums...." Can't speak to the syntax, but a little experimentation should yield good results.

As for having the ID number, take a look at the URL in the address box at the top of your screen. Replace the TOPIC_ID=6646 with the ID you want, and away you go. Having the name puts you back into searches.

[Anonymous]

OK, next question for those in the know to answer.

I work in an aircraft completions center. These are new aircraft being completed to customer requirements and cost more millions than I have fingers and toes.

When we do any work and complete an op (operation) we must sell the op to a Q C Inspector. He checks our work and insures it meets all FAA and company requirements. If he is satisfied with our work then he "buys" our op.

So do railroads have Q C Inspectors who check the work of the mechanic or those working on the loco's wiring (radios, gps systems, horns. etc.)? [?]

[Anonymous]

OK, next question for those in the know to answer.

I work in an aircraft completions center. These are new aircraft being completed to customer requirements and cost more millions than I have fingers and toes.

When we do any work and complete an op (operation) we must sell the op to a Q C Inspector. He checks our work and insures it meets all FAA and company requirements. If he is satisfied with our work then he "buys" our op.

So do railroads have Q C Inspectors who check the work of the mechanic or those working on the loco's wiring (radios, gps systems, horns. etc.)? [?]

[Anonymous]

Now that the "Story" [;)] is over we can get back to talking about trains. [:)]

Sunday afternoon I noticed the Bearing Cross Railroad Bridge going up. It links Little Rock to North Little Rock and is double tracked.

I took several pics of the liftspan in the up position. I noticed that when the bridge was up there seemed to be something blocking the tracks. I believe it was a weight that lowers as the bridge goes up but I am not sure about that. However it did appear that it would block the tracks and prevent a train from falling into the river. I have heard the term -- smashboard. Is this a smashboard in the true sense of the word or just accidentally a smashboard? [?]

[Anonymous]

Now that the "Story" [;)] is over we can get back to talking about trains. [:)]

Sunday afternoon I noticed the Bearing Cross Railroad Bridge going up. It links Little Rock to North Little Rock and is double tracked.

I took several pics of the liftspan in the up position. I noticed that when the bridge was up there seemed to be something blocking the tracks. I believe it was a weight that lowers as the bridge goes up but I am not sure about that. However it did appear that it would block the tracks and prevent a train from falling into the river. I have heard the term -- smashboard. Is this a smashboard in the true sense of the word or just accidentally a smashboard? [?]

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Now that the "Story" [;)] is over we can get back to talking about trains. [:)]

Sunday afternoon I noticed the Bearing Cross Railroad Bridge going up. It links Little Rock to North Little Rock and is double tracked.

I took several pics of the liftspan in the up position. I noticed that when the bridge was up there seemed to be something blocking the tracks. I believe it was a weight that lowers as the bridge goes up but I am not sure about that. However it did appear that it would block the tracks and prevent a train from falling into the river. I have heard the term -- smashboard. Is this a smashboard in the true sense of the word or just accidentally a smashboard? [?]

If that thing blocking the tracks is the counterweight, it will indeed serve as a smashboard, although in the opposite sense as usual. The train will not pass it, for sure. There was a picture of a counterweight / train collision in Trains a long while back. The frame of the first engine was in the river. The frame of the second was hanging off the end of the track. The superstructure of both engines was still on the backside of the counterweight. The crew didn't make it.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Now that the "Story" [;)] is over we can get back to talking about trains. [:)]

Sunday afternoon I noticed the Bearing Cross Railroad Bridge going up. It links Little Rock to North Little Rock and is double tracked.

I took several pics of the liftspan in the up position. I noticed that when the bridge was up there seemed to be something blocking the tracks. I believe it was a weight that lowers as the bridge goes up but I am not sure about that. However it did appear that it would block the tracks and prevent a train from falling into the river. I have heard the term -- smashboard. Is this a smashboard in the true sense of the word or just accidentally a smashboard? [?]

If that thing blocking the tracks is the counterweight, it will indeed serve as a smashboard, although in the opposite sense as usual. The train will not pass it, for sure. There was a picture of a counterweight / train collision in Trains a long while back. The frame of the first engine was in the river. The frame of the second was hanging off the end of the track. The superstructure of both engines was still on the backside of the counterweight. The crew didn't make it.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

A smashboard is a low left-handed semaphore blade that blocks the track when it is lowered in the "stop" indication. Consequently, a train will hit and smash it if the signal is overrun.

I've noticed that on most railroad vertical lift bridges, the counterweights are lowered to about three feet above the railhead when the span is raised to its highest point. In the Newark Bay Bridge disaster in 1958 on CNJ, the span was not fully raised, so the counterweights did not block the track and the suburban train from the NY&LB plunged through the open draw into the channel.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

A smashboard is a low left-handed semaphore blade that blocks the track when it is lowered in the "stop" indication. Consequently, a train will hit and smash it if the signal is overrun.

I've noticed that on most railroad vertical lift bridges, the counterweights are lowered to about three feet above the railhead when the span is raised to its highest point. In the Newark Bay Bridge disaster in 1958 on CNJ, the span was not fully raised, so the counterweights did not block the track and the suburban train from the NY&LB plunged through the open draw into the channel.

[egmurphy]

Okay, got a couple more for you. Should be simple ones (other wise I wouldn't have posted in the stupid question thread).

1. Do diesels have fuel caps on both sides of the fuel tank so that they can be refueled no matter which way they are facing?

2. In a sand tower, where is the valve that controls the flow of sand down the pipe/hose to the engine? Is it at the outlet of the tower or somewhere along the pipe/hose pathway?

3. How is the sand flow control valve operated? Is there a pull cord or something like that which can be operated by the guy doing the filling?

Thanks

Ed

[egmurphy]

Okay, got a couple more for you. Should be simple ones (other wise I wouldn't have posted in the stupid question thread).

1. Do diesels have fuel caps on both sides of the fuel tank so that they can be refueled no matter which way they are facing?

2. In a sand tower, where is the valve that controls the flow of sand down the pipe/hose to the engine? Is it at the outlet of the tower or somewhere along the pipe/hose pathway?

3. How is the sand flow control valve operated? Is there a pull cord or something like that which can be operated by the guy doing the filling?

Thanks

Ed

[rrnut282]

Ed
1. Yes, most do. I can't think of any railroad cheap (dumb) enough to put the filler cap on only one side unless they had very long fill hoses (which would be a pain to move around), or had hoses on both sides of the service track.
2. I'm not sure, but I think there were two valves. One controlled an air supply to "blow" the sand through the piping and the other let sand into the air stream so you could clear the line when you were done.
3. I don't know for sure, maybe it varied from location to location depending on what company supplied the equipment.

[rrnut282]

Ed
1. Yes, most do. I can't think of any railroad cheap (dumb) enough to put the filler cap on only one side unless they had very long fill hoses (which would be a pain to move around), or had hoses on both sides of the service track.
2. I'm not sure, but I think there were two valves. One controlled an air supply to "blow" the sand through the piping and the other let sand into the air stream so you could clear the line when you were done.
3. I don't know for sure, maybe it varied from location to location depending on what company supplied the equipment.

[Junctionfan]

Would it be easier for switchmen and conductors to have an earphone in one ear like a secret-service agent than to use a radio? They could have a microphone on the shirt that allows the operator to talk by pressing a button connected to a wire attached to an wristband. This way if the person is hanging on the ladder of a car and gets a communication, the person can don't have to reach for their radio plus, with the earphone, they can here the message better.

Any thoughts about this?

[Junctionfan]

Would it be easier for switchmen and conductors to have an earphone in one ear like a secret-service agent than to use a radio? They could have a microphone on the shirt that allows the operator to talk by pressing a button connected to a wire attached to an wristband. This way if the person is hanging on the ladder of a car and gets a communication, the person can don't have to reach for their radio plus, with the earphone, they can here the message better.

Any thoughts about this?

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Would it be easier for switchmen and conductors to have an earphone in one ear like a secret-service agent than to use a radio? They could have a microphone on the shirt that allows the operator to talk by pressing a button connected to a wire attached to an wristband. This way if the person is hanging on the ladder of a car and gets a communication, the person can don't have to reach for their radio plus, with the earphone, they can here the message better.

Any thoughts about this?

And along the same lines, how about the headsets we use on fire trucks (essentially the same as pilots use) for use in the cab? I see a lot of posts about how noisy some cabs are. This would help preserve hearing, enable better communication between the hogger and conductor, and allow the crew to hear radio comms from the DS and the crew on the ground. I know money is an issue, but the concept is sound (no pun intended - or was it?).

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Would it be easier for switchmen and conductors to have an earphone in one ear like a secret-service agent than to use a radio? They could have a microphone on the shirt that allows the operator to talk by pressing a button connected to a wire attached to an wristband. This way if the person is hanging on the ladder of a car and gets a communication, the person can don't have to reach for their radio plus, with the earphone, they can here the message better.

Any thoughts about this?

And along the same lines, how about the headsets we use on fire trucks (essentially the same as pilots use) for use in the cab? I see a lot of posts about how noisy some cabs are. This would help preserve hearing, enable better communication between the hogger and conductor, and allow the crew to hear radio comms from the DS and the crew on the ground. I know money is an issue, but the concept is sound (no pun intended - or was it?).

[mudchicken]

Larry: Radio equipment that your folks use is not as likely to be abused as a radio in railroad pool service on an everyday basis.Pak-sets (railroad term coined by Motorola to define walkie talkies) tend to have service lives in terms of months. Some BNSF engineers have the headgear, but the the guy on the ground needs to be free of anything that can be snagged or mask the sound of approaching trouble. (Sort of a similar problem to the knuckleheads you approach on an emergency run that are wearing headphones and do not react to you until the fire engine is in their back pocket or back seat!)

Talk to El-Unihead about what water does to pak-sets.

[mudchicken]

Larry: Radio equipment that your folks use is not as likely to be abused as a radio in railroad pool service on an everyday basis.Pak-sets (railroad term coined by Motorola to define walkie talkies) tend to have service lives in terms of months. Some BNSF engineers have the headgear, but the the guy on the ground needs to be free of anything that can be snagged or mask the sound of approaching trouble. (Sort of a similar problem to the knuckleheads you approach on an emergency run that are wearing headphones and do not react to you until the fire engine is in their back pocket or back seat!)

Talk to El-Unihead about what water does to pak-sets.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Larry: Radio equipment that your folks use is not as likely to be abused as a radio in railroad pool service on an everyday basis.Pak-sets (railroad term coined by Motorola to define walkie talkies) tend to have service lives in terms of months. Some BNSF engineers have the headgear, but the the guy on the ground needs to be free of anything that can be snagged or mask the sound of approaching trouble. (Sort of a similar problem to the knuckleheads you approach on an emergency run that are wearing headphones and do not react to you until the fire engine is in their back pocket or back seat!)

I wouldn't recommend full headsets for the guy on the ground, either, which is why I specified the cab. Obviously folks are ahead of me on that one. The reason that I really love the headsets in the trucks (and suggest it for the conductor, too, at least in the cab) is because you don't have to yell, or even turn to face the other person when you want to talk.

The idea that Junctionfan suggests wouldn't have cables hanging around if done right. In addition, the use of throat and ear microphones would mean no speaker/mic to "lose" or get tangled. They are available now for most hand-held radios. Developing technologies would completely remove the wire between the head components and the radios.

QUOTE:
Talk to El-Unihead about what water does to pak-sets.

Add smoke, soot, ashes, nasty gasses, falls from heights, etc. We ruin them, too. The only reason we don't ruin more is because we don't get as much business as some of our brothers.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Larry: Radio equipment that your folks use is not as likely to be abused as a radio in railroad pool service on an everyday basis.Pak-sets (railroad term coined by Motorola to define walkie talkies) tend to have service lives in terms of months. Some BNSF engineers have the headgear, but the the guy on the ground needs to be free of anything that can be snagged or mask the sound of approaching trouble. (Sort of a similar problem to the knuckleheads you approach on an emergency run that are wearing headphones and do not react to you until the fire engine is in their back pocket or back seat!)

I wouldn't recommend full headsets for the guy on the ground, either, which is why I specified the cab. Obviously folks are ahead of me on that one. The reason that I really love the headsets in the trucks (and suggest it for the conductor, too, at least in the cab) is because you don't have to yell, or even turn to face the other person when you want to talk.

The idea that Junctionfan suggests wouldn't have cables hanging around if done right. In addition, the use of throat and ear microphones would mean no speaker/mic to "lose" or get tangled. They are available now for most hand-held radios. Developing technologies would completely remove the wire between the head components and the radios.

QUOTE:
Talk to El-Unihead about what water does to pak-sets.

Add smoke, soot, ashes, nasty gasses, falls from heights, etc. We ruin them, too. The only reason we don't ruin more is because we don't get as much business as some of our brothers.

[Junctionfan]

As far as tangling is concerned, would the radio's coiled wire be a danger. With the secret-service thing, you can discreetly have it tucked in. With one ear free to listen for other dangers, you can hear safely select what to hear at the appropriate time.

Is this a possible?

[Junctionfan]

As far as tangling is concerned, would the radio's coiled wire be a danger. With the secret-service thing, you can discreetly have it tucked in. With one ear free to listen for other dangers, you can hear safely select what to hear at the appropriate time.

Is this a possible?

[dharmon]

The tripping, tangling, and SA arguement has merit, but 18 year old kids run around with double hearing protection and belt/vest pak radios on a carrier flight deck 24/7. It doesn't get any more abusive to equipment or a dangerous work environment than that. Yes it could be done, with the radio going into a reflective vest pocket like they are done with float coats, affordable high quality earpieces are available that would allow ambient noise to be heard.

[dharmon]

The tripping, tangling, and SA arguement has merit, but 18 year old kids run around with double hearing protection and belt/vest pak radios on a carrier flight deck 24/7. It doesn't get any more abusive to equipment or a dangerous work environment than that. Yes it could be done, with the radio going into a reflective vest pocket like they are done with float coats, affordable high quality earpieces are available that would allow ambient noise to be heard.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I'm quite familiar with the non-interlocked anachronism known as Brighton Park Crossing with its statutory stop. Are there any other non-interlocked crossings or junctions in existence on a high-traffic line?

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I'm quite familiar with the non-interlocked anachronism known as Brighton Park Crossing with its statutory stop. Are there any other non-interlocked crossings or junctions in existence on a high-traffic line?