...Are torpedoes still used on the rails...?

[Modelcar]

....Do the railroads / crew members still use torpeodoes on the rails to signal a movement or stoppage or has that process gone with the steam engines...?

[CShaveRR]

It didn't go with steam engines, but it has pretty much disappeared.

[Modelcar]

....I got to thinking and realized I haven't heard one in ages....Thanks for input.

[Lord Atmo]

i'm sorry for the stupid question

but what is a torpedo?

[BaltACD]

i'm sorry for the stupid question

but what is a torpedo?

Torpedos are a device the explodes with a loud report when it is run over by the lead wheel of a passing train.  The device is about 2 inches square and has lead straps that pemitted the Flagman to afix it to the top of the rail.  Torpedos were used in addition to Fusees (flares) by Flagmen to announce to following trains the presence of a preceeding train that was stopped.

[1702]

i'm sorry for the stupid question

but what is a torpedo?

Check out the article right here on trains.com, railroad reference, ABC's of railroading, entitled "Stop that train" (5/1/2006) all about track torpedos, fusees, and derails.

[zapp]

I think I still have some around the barn somewhere, but we really don't see them anymore. CSX used to have them in their engines alot, but you really don't see them anymore. GOD they were fun!!!!!

[jeffhergert]

Union Pacific no longer uses them.  The last time I saw some on an engine was on a train that was a run-thru off, I think CSX, and that's been quite a while ago.

One reason I heard was that with engines equipped with the better sound proofed cabs, sometimes the detonation of the torpedo wasn't heard inside the cab.

Jeff  

[Andrew Falconer]

I only saw and heard a topedo being used in the past few years. The train was the UV Avenue and was coming to a complete stop. The torpedo was the mark to stop. It was so loud, it had to be heard inside the cabin.

Andrew

[traisessive1]

They are no longer allowed to be used and have been taken out of the rule book here in Canada.

[ValleyX]

They're also removed in the United States, FRA no longer requires them and you no longer find locomotives supplied with them.  Another outmoded piece of equipment, relegated to the scrapheap of history.

[Hugh Jampton]

We still use them over here, mainly to protect track work.

[Dutchrailnut]

With todays cabs it is nearly impossible to hear a torpedoe  with train going, windows closed and AC blowing.

 These days only mandated safety gear required for train itself is Fusees and red flag.

 

[dknelson]

I think I've told this story before ... From 1980 to 1985 I had an apartment in West Allis WI near the Chicago & North Western main line south of Butler Yard.  At night I'd go out near the tracks, sit on a battery box, and wait for trains (had no scanner back then).  I did not know that right in front of me were toredoes on the rails -- I think two or three?   Anyway a train came and -- I was to say the least "surprised."   Of course I quickly realized what had happened (trains sometimes stalled on the summit at Belton Junction, and seeing flares was relatively common), but still ...  thank heavens for dry cleaning.

Dave Nelson

[Modelcar]

....My memory of torpedoes would be from the coal branch that runs between Johnstown and Rockwood, Pa.  That track passes through Kantner which is roughly a mile and a half in the distance from my former home and sitting on the porch on  a Summer evening it was very easy to hear the torpedoes exploding most usually several one right after the other as coal train activity was heavy back in the 40's and 50's and almost all operation at that time was still steam. 

[tree68]

IIRC, torpedos also served (as Hugh indirectly suggests) to warn of oncoming trains, such as with track workers.  As quiet as we all know a drifting train can be, that could be important.

I recall reading somewhere (probably an old Trains) of a case where someone (intentionally) put several torpedos on the track ahead of a speeder.  Apparently there was enough force from the closely spaced torpedos to if not roll the speeder off the track, at least lift it significantly...  It was a RR prank by railroaders on a railroader, not a malicious act by a ne'er-do-well.

[zardoz]

I think I've told this story before ... From 1980 to 1985 I had an apartment in West Allis WI near the Chicago & North Western main line south of Butler Yard.  At night I'd go out near the tracks, sit on a battery box, and wait for trains (had no scanner back then).  I did not know that right in front of me were toredoes on the rails -- I think two or three?   Anyway a train came and -- I was to say the least "surprised."   Of course I quickly realized what had happened (trains sometimes stalled on the summit at Belton Junction, and seeing flares was relatively common), but still ...  thank heavens for dry cleaning.

Dave Nelson

You were actually in some danger.  The lead straps that hold the torpedoes to the rails can become projectiles when the torpedoes explode.

[zardoz]

I recall reading somewhere (probably an old Trains) of a case where someone (intentionally) put several torpedos on the track ahead of a speeder.  Apparently there was enough force from the closely spaced torpedos to if not roll the speeder off the track, at least lift it significantly...  It was a RR prank by railroaders on a railroader, not a malicious act by a ne'er-do-well.

We used to do stuff like that all the time, although never such that someone's hearing would be affected.

Once while I was waiting on a siding for an opposing train, I went around and put a set of torpedoes under each wheel of my 3 locomotives.  When I finally started to move, all 72 torpedoes went off in two seperate, but rather impressive blast's.

In retrospect, I suppose I should not have done that in a residential neighborhood.  When the cops called the railroad asking about the explosion on the tracks it put me in a rather, shall I say, dicey predicament.  Luckily the conductor went along with my feigned ignorance (as well he should have--it was his idea).

[csxengineer98]

csx stopped useing them a few years back...took any that where on the units off.  AND YES THEY WHERE VERY FUN!!!! DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME...LEAVE IT TO THE BORDE UNDERPAYED WITH TO MUCH TIME ON OUR HANDS SITTING AT A RED SIGNAL RAILROADERS...if you broke open the packets..and put the powder in a snuff can... fill it up with the powder of 5 or 6 torpedos... you make one hell of a bang!!!!! damn i miss them...lol
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

They used them in the movie Under Seige: Dark Territory when the train first gets taken over if that helps at all

Nick

[Andrew Falconer]

They're also removed in the United States, FRA no longer requires them and you no longer find locomotives supplied with them.  Another outmoded piece of equipment, relegated to the scrapheap of history.

The only time I saw torpedoes in actions was the last time I will ever see torpedoes in action on an active railroad. The crew must have been using up the final batch.

What about railroad museums? Railroad Museums could have their own armory full of torpedoes for demonstrations.

Andrew

[ericsp]

I am surprised there have been no U-Boat jokes. If I think of one I may post it (depending on how bad it is).