Bad train pictures

[edblysard]

Oh Boy, me and my big mouth!
Ok, I will try to explain a simple drop.
Lets say you have a car behind your locomotive, and you need it in front.
You have two tracks, with a facing point(the points of the turnout face you) turnout conntecting the two, but no way to cut off and run around your car.
Solution.
Drop the car into the other track, then back up past it, and couple into it.
Heres how.
Drop off the switchman at the switch, (make sure the switch operates easily) and leave him there, he lines the switch for the straight route.
Back up a good ways, cut the air brakes out of the car and bleed the air off.
Conductor gets on the rear of the locomotive, gives the engineer the high sign, and the engineer takes off towards the switch at a fast pace.
Once you get to speed, the conductor will signal the engineer, who cuts the throttle back, allowing the slack to run in, at which point the conductor uncouples the car, signals the engineer, who opens the throttle wide to out run the car, which is now rolling free behind you.
You pass the switch, and the switchman you left there, and keep going, so if it goes wrong, your not in the way.
The switchman lines the turnout for the siding or other track, and catches the car, or mounts up on the end with the hand brake.
When the car is far enough into the other track, he will apply the hand brake, and stop it.
Now all you have to do is back up past the switch, and then go into the sideing or other track, and couple up to the car you just "droped" into that track.

This is a quick way to get a car from behind you to in front of you.
Its also a quick way to get fired if it goes wrong, you have to trust each other to do their part, or you can make a mess real quick.

A gravity drop is what we did when the car we "polled" out onto the lead had rolled back and coupled into our locomotive.
Problem, we now had a car behind us, that has to go into a track thats ahead of us, our locomotive is in the way.
Soultion.
Our switching lead is sloped away from our main, downhill.
We backed up some, past a higher track, then gently kicked the car behind us up the lead, and pulled our locomotive into the higher track than the one the car belonged in, lined the switch behind us for the lead and when the car slowed down, gravity took over, making it roll back downhill again, picking up enough speed so that it went past the track we were in, and into the track where it belonged, with the car now in front of us, we could back out of the higher track, and couple or shove it in more if needed.

A dutch drop is a modified drop, where the locomotive goes into the sideing, the cars goes on down the straight track, and when it gets past the locomotive, you back out of the sideing, and chase the car down with the locomotive, and couple back into it.

Done right, drops are a quick way to solve a problem, and done correctly, they are not too unsafe, if you make sure all the components and people involved work correctly and know what to do.

Can you get a lick of sense out of all of that?
Its easier to do than to explain..
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Oh Boy, me and my big mouth!
Ok, I will try to explain a simple drop.
Lets say you have a car behind your locomotive, and you need it in front.
You have two tracks, with a facing point(the points of the turnout face you) turnout conntecting the two, but no way to cut off and run around your car.
Solution.
Drop the car into the other track, then back up past it, and couple into it.
Heres how.
Drop off the switchman at the switch, (make sure the switch operates easily) and leave him there, he lines the switch for the straight route.
Back up a good ways, cut the air brakes out of the car and bleed the air off.
Conductor gets on the rear of the locomotive, gives the engineer the high sign, and the engineer takes off towards the switch at a fast pace.
Once you get to speed, the conductor will signal the engineer, who cuts the throttle back, allowing the slack to run in, at which point the conductor uncouples the car, signals the engineer, who opens the throttle wide to out run the car, which is now rolling free behind you.
You pass the switch, and the switchman you left there, and keep going, so if it goes wrong, your not in the way.
The switchman lines the turnout for the siding or other track, and catches the car, or mounts up on the end with the hand brake.
When the car is far enough into the other track, he will apply the hand brake, and stop it.
Now all you have to do is back up past the switch, and then go into the sideing or other track, and couple up to the car you just "droped" into that track.

This is a quick way to get a car from behind you to in front of you.
Its also a quick way to get fired if it goes wrong, you have to trust each other to do their part, or you can make a mess real quick.

A gravity drop is what we did when the car we "polled" out onto the lead had rolled back and coupled into our locomotive.
Problem, we now had a car behind us, that has to go into a track thats ahead of us, our locomotive is in the way.
Soultion.
Our switching lead is sloped away from our main, downhill.
We backed up some, past a higher track, then gently kicked the car behind us up the lead, and pulled our locomotive into the higher track than the one the car belonged in, lined the switch behind us for the lead and when the car slowed down, gravity took over, making it roll back downhill again, picking up enough speed so that it went past the track we were in, and into the track where it belonged, with the car now in front of us, we could back out of the higher track, and couple or shove it in more if needed.

A dutch drop is a modified drop, where the locomotive goes into the sideing, the cars goes on down the straight track, and when it gets past the locomotive, you back out of the sideing, and chase the car down with the locomotive, and couple back into it.

Done right, drops are a quick way to solve a problem, and done correctly, they are not too unsafe, if you make sure all the components and people involved work correctly and know what to do.

Can you get a lick of sense out of all of that?
Its easier to do than to explain..
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[mudchicken]

dutch or gravity?

[mudchicken]

dutch or gravity?

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Of course, we had to do a drop to get the car back in the track it belonged in, so we got to do two illegal moves for the price of one.

So...what's a drop?

--Nora

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Of course, we had to do a drop to get the car back in the track it belonged in, so we got to do two illegal moves for the price of one.

So...what's a drop?

--Nora

[edblysard]

Poling is where you take a pole, piece of lumber, just about anything you can find, and place it between a locomotive and a car on a adjacent track, and shove the car out of the way.
You do this only if you cant make a coupling to the car in the way, say it is fouling just enough, or is in such a sharp curve you cant couple into it.
No, new locomotive do not have poling pockets, is a good way to get killed, and is now against the rules.
We use MK1500Ds, no pockets.
Older switchers and road switchers like the geeps have them, it was common pratice to pole cars.
It was also common pratice to get hurt, the ploe snaps, and the brakeman holding it in place gets smacked by the broken pole, or hit by either the car or the locomotive.
Yes, I have poled a car or two.
Last time we had a car roll out behind us, from the track just beside us, it came out just enough to prevent us from coming out of the track, it was fouling the lead by a foot or two.
Took a piece of 4x4 lumber braceing from a flat car, stuck it against the edge of the coupler pocket, had the engineer back up against the other end.
Got just enough pressure to hold the pole in place, got out of the way, and the engineer gave it a kick.
The car rolled up the lead behind us, when it cleared the switch, I lined it back, and the car rolled back and coupled into the rear of our locomotive.
Of course, we had to do a drop to get the car back in the track it belonged in, so we got to do two illegal moves for the price of one.
Done right, poling works great.
Done wrong, someone goes to the hospital, and the locomotive goes to the shop.
I highly reccomend no one try this at home.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
ps, sure your bell hasnt been rung before?

[edblysard]

Poling is where you take a pole, piece of lumber, just about anything you can find, and place it between a locomotive and a car on a adjacent track, and shove the car out of the way.
You do this only if you cant make a coupling to the car in the way, say it is fouling just enough, or is in such a sharp curve you cant couple into it.
No, new locomotive do not have poling pockets, is a good way to get killed, and is now against the rules.
We use MK1500Ds, no pockets.
Older switchers and road switchers like the geeps have them, it was common pratice to pole cars.
It was also common pratice to get hurt, the ploe snaps, and the brakeman holding it in place gets smacked by the broken pole, or hit by either the car or the locomotive.
Yes, I have poled a car or two.
Last time we had a car roll out behind us, from the track just beside us, it came out just enough to prevent us from coming out of the track, it was fouling the lead by a foot or two.
Took a piece of 4x4 lumber braceing from a flat car, stuck it against the edge of the coupler pocket, had the engineer back up against the other end.
Got just enough pressure to hold the pole in place, got out of the way, and the engineer gave it a kick.
The car rolled up the lead behind us, when it cleared the switch, I lined it back, and the car rolled back and coupled into the rear of our locomotive.
Of course, we had to do a drop to get the car back in the track it belonged in, so we got to do two illegal moves for the price of one.
Done right, poling works great.
Done wrong, someone goes to the hospital, and the locomotive goes to the shop.
I highly reccomend no one try this at home.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
ps, sure your bell hasnt been rung before?

[Anonymous]

Ed a question that is right up your alley. [:)]

Poling--a lost art--quick but dangerous. First, you might explain it for those who have not heard of it. Second, was it outlawed or just discouraged? Third, locos today come without "pole pockets"--correct? Have you or any other switchmen poled in the last 10 years or so? (You might need to take the 5th on the last question, if so I understand.) The switch engines used today are many years old (how old and which do you use) did they come with pole pockets? Is there a modern day alternative that takes the place of poling? In the steam days were pole pockets "standard" or an option? What was the last loco to come with pole pockets. Did just switch engines have poll pockets or mainline locos also? (I can't count past three so I stopped numbering.) Ok , well this should keep you busy for a while and create some interesting reading.
This is not a test, just a chance to educate myself and others. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Ed a question that is right up your alley. [:)]

Poling--a lost art--quick but dangerous. First, you might explain it for those who have not heard of it. Second, was it outlawed or just discouraged? Third, locos today come without "pole pockets"--correct? Have you or any other switchmen poled in the last 10 years or so? (You might need to take the 5th on the last question, if so I understand.) The switch engines used today are many years old (how old and which do you use) did they come with pole pockets? Is there a modern day alternative that takes the place of poling? In the steam days were pole pockets "standard" or an option? What was the last loco to come with pole pockets. Did just switch engines have poll pockets or mainline locos also? (I can't count past three so I stopped numbering.) Ok , well this should keep you busy for a while and create some interesting reading.
This is not a test, just a chance to educate myself and others. [:)]

[edblysard]

Neither, thats the problem, she could start her own "bellringers" club...
Ed[:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Is your cousin Prudence or Caution?

Jen

[edblysard]

Neither, thats the problem, she could start her own "bellringers" club...
Ed[:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Is your cousin Prudence or Caution?

Jen

[Mookie]

Is your cousin Prudence or Caution?

Jen

[Mookie]

Is your cousin Prudence or Caution?

Jen

[edblysard]

Prudence and caution can be virtues at times...

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

As a answer to your bell question, if you havent had yours rung, I have a cousin in California, she aint to hard to look at ...
and coverage isnt one of her problems[}:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]

Ed you know usually I am one who is not afraid to take the bait and run with the story. But something tells me that maybe I outta pass on "the bait" this time. [8D]

[edblysard]

Prudence and caution can be virtues at times...

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

As a answer to your bell question, if you havent had yours rung, I have a cousin in California, she aint to hard to look at ...
and coverage isnt one of her problems[}:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]

Ed you know usually I am one who is not afraid to take the bait and run with the story. But something tells me that maybe I outta pass on "the bait" this time. [8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevinstheRRman

Jim that would be like the 2 corssings we have up the road.. the roads cross so close together... and the bells on the corssing lights were both put on bakc in the 40's but in the 70's one was crashed by a drunk driver, so, i a new one was put in.. so the pattern sounds like this when theyre stuck on all night

Crossing one: ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...

Crossing two: dingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingding

very annoying..
so i imagine 2 bells on locomotives would be Equaly annoying, but it would be pretty darn cool!

ps.. Jim.. i added you to my AOL.. so when you see an idiot under the name "Emunkey1"... hey that's not an idiot! that's me!

Kevin great holler at me anytime. I work second shift so I am a night owl. We have been working overtime to meet schedules. So I don't go to bed until 4 or 5 or 6 am. Then the dog gets me up at 8 or 9 so I have been really screwed up in sleeping. [^]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevinstheRRman

Jim that would be like the 2 corssings we have up the road.. the roads cross so close together... and the bells on the corssing lights were both put on bakc in the 40's but in the 70's one was crashed by a drunk driver, so, i a new one was put in.. so the pattern sounds like this when theyre stuck on all night

Crossing one: ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...

Crossing two: dingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingding

very annoying..
so i imagine 2 bells on locomotives would be Equaly annoying, but it would be pretty darn cool!

ps.. Jim.. i added you to my AOL.. so when you see an idiot under the name "Emunkey1"... hey that's not an idiot! that's me!

Kevin great holler at me anytime. I work second shift so I am a night owl. We have been working overtime to meet schedules. So I don't go to bed until 4 or 5 or 6 am. Then the dog gets me up at 8 or 9 so I have been really screwed up in sleeping. [^]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

As a answer to your bell question, if you havent had yours rung, I have a cousin in California, she aint to hard to look at ...
and coverage isnt one of her problems[}:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]

Ed you know usually I am one who is not afraid to take the bait and run with the story. But something tells me that maybe I outta pass on "the bait" this time. [8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

As a answer to your bell question, if you havent had yours rung, I have a cousin in California, she aint to hard to look at ...
and coverage isnt one of her problems[}:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]

Ed you know usually I am one who is not afraid to take the bait and run with the story. But something tells me that maybe I outta pass on "the bait" this time. [8D]

[Anonymous]

Hey Kevin,
hope you don't mind that I added you to my buddy list, I love to talk to new railfans, and AIM is the best way to do it! Oh and by the way, look for me as, what other than; railpac [:D][;)]

[Anonymous]

Hey Kevin,
hope you don't mind that I added you to my buddy list, I love to talk to new railfans, and AIM is the best way to do it! Oh and by the way, look for me as, what other than; railpac [:D][;)]

[Anonymous]

Gee Ed, your cousin must be related to my ex-wife. She had no problem with scrapin' a knuckle on my head. I would be standing there chattin' crap and WHACK! Right hook on the side of my skull. Damn that broad was meen! Good lookin', but a hellcat. Her bellringer wasn't pneumatic like on the locos either.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Gee Ed, your cousin must be related to my ex-wife. She had no problem with scrapin' a knuckle on my head. I would be standing there chattin' crap and WHACK! Right hook on the side of my skull. Damn that broad was meen! Good lookin', but a hellcat. Her bellringer wasn't pneumatic like on the locos either.
Ken

[edblysard]

As a answer to your bell question, if you havent had yours rung, I have a cousin in California, she aint to hard to look at ...
and coverage isnt one of her problems[}:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]

[edblysard]

As a answer to your bell question, if you havent had yours rung, I have a cousin in California, she aint to hard to look at ...
and coverage isnt one of her problems[}:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

Jim that would be like the 2 corssings we have up the road.. the roads cross so close together... and the bells on the corssing lights were both put on bakc in the 40's but in the 70's one was crashed by a drunk driver, so, i a new one was put in.. so the pattern sounds like this when theyre stuck on all night

Crossing one: ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...

Crossing two: dingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingding

very annoying..
so i imagine 2 bells on locomotives would be Equaly annoying, but it would be pretty darn cool!

ps.. Jim.. i added you to my AOL.. so when you see an idiot under the name "Emunkey1"... hey that's not an idiot! that's me!

[Anonymous]

Jim that would be like the 2 corssings we have up the road.. the roads cross so close together... and the bells on the corssing lights were both put on bakc in the 40's but in the 70's one was crashed by a drunk driver, so, i a new one was put in.. so the pattern sounds like this when theyre stuck on all night

Crossing one: ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...ding...

Crossing two: dingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingding

very annoying..
so i imagine 2 bells on locomotives would be Equaly annoying, but it would be pretty darn cool!

ps.. Jim.. i added you to my AOL.. so when you see an idiot under the name "Emunkey1"... hey that's not an idiot! that's me!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes



This may sound kinda silly but, I have always wanted to see two bells on the locos. One up front and one behind. They should be mounted on opposite sides of the loco and should alternate their rings. This way you get better coverage and more bells. Something us railfans would like. [;)]

Geeee nobody has rung my bell yet ! [:D] [:D] [:D]