[David Jones]

http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/saf.../hq200679v.pdf

The accident report. The crew noticed 800ft before they got to the switch that it was incorrectly set. They were going 36mph. They hit the emergency stop and hit the floor. Speed at impact was DOWN to 32mph.

[Ron Landis]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

No more cabooses.My guess is they were counting to determine where "things" started.

this was many moons ago...at least 30 years. We watched a tanker of pure grain alcohol pour into a cornfield. Tank car was labeled "Schenley Reserve". Now THAT'S what I call alcohol abuse! Ron

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by David Jones

http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/saf.../hq200679v.pdf

The accident report. The crew noticed 800ft before they got to the switch that it was incorrectly set. They were going 36mph. They hit the emergency stop and hit the floor. Speed at impact was DOWN to 32mph.

I've gotten off trains at 20 MPH and stayed on my feet.So 36 is a surviveable speed to jump from assuming you have the time to get to the bottom step.And you don't land on anything.
If the cut of cars they hit was short or consisted of empties,they moved or took the brunt of the impact.

[Lightfoot]

Another one that needs to give up her driver's license.

I made a right, wrong hand turn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbG95...eature=related

[Cobrabill]

Good Lord.....talk about wasting oxygen.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by David Jones

What's the pucker factor when you notice that the switch isn't where it's supposed to be?

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

You have problems getting out of the seat without tearing the fabric.I run in CTC territory where this can't(or shouldn't) happen.

In our system, we have, as switches go, two conditions: Negative correspondence or Positive correspondence. Meaning that the switch's physical position must correspond to the electrical 'call' or request. In other words, if I request the switch to go 'Reverse' and the physical postion is 'Normal', that's negative correspondence.
A switch in negative correspondence = no proceed. I know a transit system's layout is completely different in some respects but I am curious...
Do you guys have anything like that?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

Another one that needs to give up her driver's license.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbG95...eature=related

Adding comments has been disabled for this video.

No wonder…

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

In our system, we have, as switches go, two conditions: Negative correspondence or Positive correspondence. Meaning that the switch's physical position must correspond to the electrical 'call' or request. In other words, if I request the switch to go 'Reverse' and the physical postion is 'Normal', that's negative correspondence.
A switch in negative correspondence = no proceed. I know a transit system's layout is completely different in some respects but I am curious...
Do you guys have anything like that?

In CTC territory,all power switches are controlled by the dispatcher.All manual switches that are connected to "controlled" track are wired to dispatcher's board AND the signal system.SO when you line the switch,it throw up reds at both approach signals.

The video was shot on "non-signaled" territory(dark in other words.Trains move by TWC authority which is verbal permission from the dispatcher.WHo ever was working on that cut of cars in the siding failed to "normal"the switch when he pulled into the siding or pulled out with their power..There was an incident like this a couple years ago in the south somewhere.

[sdbob]

I like to watch trains, my grandfather started me when I was about 5. I am sure I'm in no hurry at a railroad crossing. Those cars being switched probably contain some goods that I am needing. Bill did you see that CSX wreck that involved 3 trains in the mid west? One rrear ended another pushing cars on the adjacent track then those being hit by a east bound. Just noticed a Amtrak wreck I believe in Mich. Don't know the causes of either wreck. But the Amtrak wreck was being cleaned up by 'John Deere' side booms.From the info Cat is backed up on orders, soo Deere got the $. Also just within the past month a friend in our train club witnessed near his home a 'hung up' low boy trailer on railroad crossing in the early afternoon. His neighbor an x statetrooper called 911 (they new a train was due about that time from living there) 911 wanted all the info, he just shouted there is a train coming and the truck is on the tracks.The train was notified they guess because they saw teh train at a distance and the train was trying to stop. The train stopped approx. 20 ft from the truck. the engineer said that was the closest he has ever been to an accident.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by sdbob

I like to watch trains, my grandfather started me when I was about 5. I am sure I'm in no hurry at a railroad crossing. Those cars being switched probably contain some goods that I am needing. Bill did you see that CSX wreck that involved 3 trains in the mid west? One rrear ended another pushing cars on the adjacent track then those being hit by a east bound. Just noticed a Amtrak wreck I believe in Mich. Don't know the causes of either wreck. But the Amtrak wreck was being cleaned up by 'John Deere' side booms.From the info Cat is backed up on orders, soo Deere got the $. Also just within the past month a friend in our train club witnessed near his home a 'hung up' low boy trailer on railroad crossing in the early afternoon. His neighbor an x statetrooper called 911 (they new a train was due about that time from living there) 911 wanted all the info, he just shouted there is a train coming and the truck is on the tracks.The train was notified they guess because they saw teh train at a distance and the train was trying to stop. The train stopped approx. 20 ft from the truck. the engineer said that was the closest he has ever been to an accident.

Missed it by that much!

[OVERULD]

OP: I can only imagine the torque that a locomotive must produce to get a long loaded train moving. Looking at the drive wheels on a locomotive it seems that they would just spin on the tracks. Can you explain some things for this non-railroader?

How much horsepower in a typical locomotive?
How much torque to the drive wheels?
Does the diesel engine power a generator that then powers electric motors on the drive wheels?
Why don't the drive wheels spin on the track when starting out?
What is final drive ratio of the gearing used?
Why do you see one or more locomotives turned backwards when running several together?

Thanks - sorry for any stupid questions.

BJ

[sdbob]

My 2 cts. Typical hp isapprox. 4400hp for the heavy haul 6 axle.. Trying to make them fuel efficient.There are a few exp. with Cat diesels in them to meet pollution regs. They are lower hp though. A few yrs ago there was a hp race with GE and EMD ofering 6000 hp. From info complex electronics and maintainance,led to there demise. The 6000 have been traded in except afew GE AC6000 on CSX. As far as coupling Bill and the others can explain more but from what I've heard its to make easy direction changing without turning units around.

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by OVERULD

OP: I can only imagine the torque that a locomotive must produce to get a long loaded train moving. Looking at the drive wheels on a locomotive it seems that they would just spin on the tracks. Can you explain some things for this non-railroader?

1)How much horsepower in a typical locomotive?
2)How much torque to the drive wheels?
3)Does the diesel engine power a generator that then powers electric motors on the drive wheels?
4)Why don't the drive wheels spin on the track when starting out?
5)What is final drive ratio of the gearing used?
6)Why do you see one or more locomotives turned backwards when running several together?

Thanks - sorry for any stupid questions.

BJ

1)Between 4000 & 4400 for road power
2)A single unit can generate 190,000+/- pounds of tractive effort
3)Yes.
4)Weight on the wheels.The contact patch for each wheel is roughly the size of a dime.
5)DOn't know-the gear on the traction motor drives what is basically a ring gear on the axle.
6)If they are not the lead unit,direction is irrellevant.To change direction,you simply move to the cab of the other unit.

[Alvin]

There was an interesting Diesel Locomotive Retrofit Company reality TV program on cable last fall that rebuilt locomotives to run cleaner.

Was interesting to see the step-by-step evaluation, tear down, up-grade and restoration of a locomotive with the newer tech lower emission GenSet power modules. They used a 1950’s locomotive as the foundation of the retrofit. It was painted Black with Red/Orange accents when finish.

Any of these in your fleet? Comments on Pros/Cons as a real world end user?

I think it was this company. http://www.leanandgreenlocomotive.com/

About the technology
"To meet the guidelines set forth in the original concept the following technologies have been incorporated into the locomotive design.

T.M.V. locomotive management system.
This system features the latest in wheel slip adhesion technology providing the best traction available in the market. Also included is the ability to
communicate with all other onboard systems on a touch screen monitor conveniently mounted on the control stand. A few of the items displayed are:

All engine data from both engines, Main generator output, Speed, cooling fan operations, load, anything found on an event recorder, a history of faults, and
to many more items to list here.

A.P.U. unit
M.T.U. onsite energy proprietary 135KW generator. John Deere 4045 tier 3 (subsequent models will be tier 4i) This unit provides all power for the
locomotive including air compressor, cooling fans, battery charging, traction motor and rectifier blowers

The A.P.U. also provides power for the I.G.B.T. air cooled choppers. This system allows the locomotive and a train of limited tonnage to be moved without
the need to start the large engine. Air cooling eliminates the problem of failure common in the liquid cooled versions used by others.

Main engine
MTU-Detroit Diesel 12V2000 V-12 1005 B.H.P. Charge air cooled engine. Tier 2 (subsequent models will be tier 4i)

Air compressor
Ingersoll-Rand 30 HP rotary screw air compressor with built in refrigerant cooled dryer. This air compressor provides air with the lowest humidity in the market.

Grants.
The lean and Green has been awarded an Ohio Third Frontier grant, Ohio D.E.R.G. grant for 3 units, Northwest Indiana clean air grant and a California Carl
Moyers grant. With the recent 5 year extension of the Diesel clean air grant program, grants will continue to be an attractive way to help finance clean
locomotive projects.

Main alternator
Marathon two bearing variable frequency alternator with a proprietary Darrah Electrical air cooled rectifier.

[Cobrabill]

We use Gen-sets in Los Angeles.They are a complete joke.Tons of issues with them including catching on fire.More EPA failed doctrine.

[TTOP350]

As a Conductor for Norfolksouthern in Decatur Il, I also see a lot of stuff most poeple don't want to see.
While I was in training we saw many deer tring to beat the train, they didn't. My 1st kill, we saw 3 coming but couldn't do a thing about it all. A doe and 2 lil guys lost that day, it was very anticlimactic.
We also about hit 5 kids walking down the middle of the tracks coming home from school. Horn was blaring but they didn't get off tracks until we were VERY close. Then they looked at us like, what are you doing making use move??
People can be DUMB. Just 1 engine weighs 410,000lbs give or take and thats enuff to really mess up your plans 4 the weekend.
I see on average 5 people tryn to "beat the train" on a given shift.
Don't do it!!!

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

We use Gen-sets in Los Angeles.They are a complete joke.Tons of issues with them including catching on fire.More EPA failed doctrine.

Somehow, I figured that might be the case. Still was a GR8 program disassembling vintage Loco. Large scale hobby Fo Sho!

[drailed]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

Bring the Freight Railroad back.

Re-manage or Close the unprofitable Public Transportation passenger-rail systems.

Remanage the freight rail systems while your at it. Fire the yes men or kids I should say and put the men with the actual experience in the field back in control and then you would have something.

[fiedlerh]

Here is a engine/generator out of an Amtrak locomotive. Appears to be a V16 diesel. You experts know more about it.

[OVERULD]

That's a pretty awesome engine right there. Not as big as an engine in a big ship, but still pretty cool!

BJ