Hubert,
It appears that in the recent incident in Fresno the switchperson was
riding a car and fell off. Have not heard much more than that.
Division General Manager for that territory was fired earlier this
month so there are problems there that may be bigger than just this
one incident. I've been on vacation and my wife does not know how
to read "between the lines" in regard to these incidents.
As far as belt packs are concerned keep in mind that both persons
on the ground can control the engine. I would not want to give my
partner control and then be coupling hoses and I'm sure their
training includes that concept.
By rule, no one can either go between or do anything behind a car
without verbal confirmation from the Engineer or person controlling
the locomotive that air is set and the reverser is centered. This does
include reaching in and closing an angle cock and making a cut.
Yes, I know that can be done "on the move", I have switched with air,
but no more.
The incident in Tennessee Yard last year involved a pull down job.
Two men on the ground and an Engineer. They had just finished
making up a train and put hand brakes on the Northwest end. Were
back in the office when asked if they had cut the train at a crossover
in the middle of the departure yard. Forman was not experienced and
said they had not. Yardmaster says they will have to.
Engineer was still on the engine and he tied on to the Northwest end
of the track. Foreman rode the ATV back to the crossovers and helper
was told he was not needed. He made a cut and pulled ahead and
the Engineer told the Foreman that they had too much and they were
out on the lead. Shoved back to get rid of a few more cars and the
joint did not make. Foreman said he was going to fix the problem and
the Engineer confirmed that he was "set and centered". Of course all
he had was the independent on the units since there was no air in the
track. Meanwhile the Southeast end of the train which had just been
pushed back by the attempt to make the joint is bled and moving as
it wishes. No hand brakes because it had been attached to the other
end where they had put the hand brakes.
You know enough to know what happened and how to prevent it
but this particular person did not realize what he had set up. The
basic premise that he was relying on was that the Southeast end of
the train would just stay where it was. It did not.
Russ
----- Original Message -----
From: <SilvrDome@aol.com>
To: <BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 27 September, 2003 17:27
Subject: Re: [BRHSlist] re: shipping in barrels/sacks
> Russ,
>
> As a former Conductor, I hate to say it, but the belt packs for controlling
> the locomotive may be the safe answer. I hate to see Engineers lose
> positions,
> but there can be no failure when you are making air hoses under a train, and
> you can control the locomotive remotely.
>
> I am sorry to hear about the fatality and hope all of us railroaders can
> learn from this and other tragedies.
>
> Hubert
>
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