CraigZ Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Also something of an illustration why it's very difficult to 'chase' the FEC...the pig trains are permitted 60 mph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Stap me vitals! Just imagine that you are the conductor, and need to walk back to the last car , and then back to the loco! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Stap me vitals! Just imagine that you are the conductor, and need to walk back to the last car , and then back to the loco! I don't suppose they're issued with trail bikes as some of the African iron-ore lines are? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
40019 Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 I do like the FEC - Happy memories of chasing northbounds between Vero Beach & Melbourne Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clark33 Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 Nice one, where? Here's a few. Phil Clark, Catarman, Philippines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 Stap me vitals! Just imagine that you are the conductor, and need to walk back to the last car , and then back to the loco! I don't suppose they're issued with trail bikes as some of the African iron-ore lines are? In some places, you wouldn't need to walk or cycle - the engineer would back the train up for you. When I first read this, I found it hard to believe. It was in a 2001 account of a journey over BNSF's "Inside Gateway" from Klamath Falls to Keddie - BNSF's north-south mainline through the western states. A train of 6550 tons and 3800 feet long (apparently a light load for this train) with 3 Dash 9s for power. After meets where this train had taken the siding, the conductor had to line the switch back to the mainline after the last car of his train had left the siding. The engineer would then back the train up along the mainline to pick him up! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigZ Posted December 25, 2014 Author Share Posted December 25, 2014 One will also see the contract 'shuttle' services the railroads use to pick up crewmen and move them to the other end of the train at times...obviously not everywhere, only where practical. And whilst railfanning I've picked up a crewman who's had to walk the rear of the train and given him a ride to the front end. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 I've seen a rail fan video where a coupler breaks pretty much opposite his car as he chases the train. IIRC the guy gives the conductor a lift back down the train with the spare coupler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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