[AccessD] Friday OT: Looong train

Hi Rocky

Thanks! Very informative. Now I learned something new even on a Sunday.
But I'm so curious - I didn't notice (or rather look for) flat wheel sets - extremely uncommon here - but now I have to watch the video again to look those up.

/gustav

>>> rockysmolin at bchacc.com 07-02-2010 20:57 >>>
Our train expert from OT 

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-ot-bounces at databaseadvisors.com 
[mailto:dba-ot-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of dickford1 at aol.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 11:26 AM
To: dba-ot at databaseadvisors.com 
Subject: Re: [dba-OT] For Dickford -- FW: [AccessD] Friday OT: Looong train


Poetry in motion, eh Rocky? That's the way an efficiently-run railroad
should look. A mighty impressive sight...a 3 mile-long train powered by nine
locomotives! Wow! And...all run by ONE guy who...if he has adequate
seniority, makes about $27/hour + bennies. A model of efficiency...

But, appearances can be deceiving. Let me explain:

1.) Train 7454 West is running extra...westbound, on single track under
authority of track warrant, in dark (unsignaled) territory. The significance
of that? Simple. That train owns the track...there can be no opposing
trains, because there isn't a long enough passing siding. That means that up
to a dozen eastbound trains can (and usually are) backed up, idling...with
full crews...waiting to run.

2.) This train is running with mostly empty containers. The loads would be
the Maersk and possibly the free-running Evergreens. The two mid-train sets
are running in high idle, but offline, not as slaves...to maintain trainline
air pressure for braking purposes. IOW, they're "brake sleds". They also
serve double-duty as part of a common power-balancing maneuver: More freight
tonnage moves east...much more...than moves west, hence the need for power
to be returned...running "light". The rear end power is running
radio-controlled, from the head end...and IS pushing...to keep the slack
bunched in this train. Running a "tight" train is critical in these
circumstances...but, can also magnify dangers exponentially. One li'l hitch
in the gitalong...emphasis on "little"...and the whole picture goes
kaflooey! In a heartbeat. I noted at least four distinct flat wheel
sets...and three of those piercing screeches. Know what those are? I do!
Nothing but trouble! Flagrantly out-of-spec "sharp flanges" and/or "squared
flange fillets"...IOW, an open invitation to derailment. Shit happens...all
to regularly for my taste.

Conclusion? Any dispatcher who put this nightmarish mostrosity together
should be shot (and probably was) at sunrise. After a proper trial, of
course.<g>

Anyway, Rocky...thank you very much or sharing this! The photog definitely
knows his shit. It was a pleasure!

Dickford