Q I just saw the preview for “Unstoppable.” How can a train with no air in the reserve tank and brake cylinders roll away? I thought once all the air is drained the brakes will automatically apply?— Andrew Marino, Lincoln Park, N.J. A Railroad air brake systems need air pressure to function, and it’s held […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Florida from the air
We’re high above Seaboard Coast Line’s Uceta Yard and locomotive shop on Sept. 26 1970. Below is the busy former Atlantic Coast Line yard and the neighboring Seaboard Air Line Yeoman Yard that were brought together under the SCL banner with the 1967 merger. The locomotive shop would distinguish itself in the late 1970s with […]
Air hoses on locomotives
Q This is a follow-up question to one in the July 2010 issue about the three air hoses on locomotives (page 58). I saw engines in the ’70s and earlier with four hoses and some with only two. Why the difference?— Dan Mirabelli, Neenah, Wis. A The two-line m.u. setup was generally for 14EL-equipped units. […]
Ask Trains from December 2010
Q I’ve read that when some railroads sent their steam locomotives in for a complete overhaul, they changed the main drivers to a disc type. Why would they do this?— Alex Jamieson, Chatham, Ont. A Changing to disc-type drivers was done on a case-by-case basis. The older style spoke drivers had a tendency to break […]
Ask Trains from September 2009
Q How do railroads figure how much power is necessary for a train?– Richard Panarese, Mesa, Ariz.A Railroads determine power needed for a train based on the route, and the train’s weight and priority. BNSF, for instance, considers the “horsepower per ton” required based on what officials call the train’s “transportation service plan.” The transportation […]
Video: History according to Hediger 3
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader Senior Editor Jim Hediger also has experience working on the real railroads. In this episode Jim talks about his job as a telegraph operator for the Wabash RR. You’ll also see some vintage photos of some places where Jim worked, including […]
Video: History according to Hediger 3
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader Senior Editor Jim Hediger also has experience working on the real railroads. In this episode Jim talks about his job as a telegraph operator for the Wabash RR. You’ll also see some vintage photos of some places where Jim worked, including […]
BNSF grain shuttle
A Canadian National Railway conductor delivers a BNSF Railway grain train to New Coop in Knierim, Iowa, on March 5, 2007. The elevator gets BNSF grain shuttles by way of a haulage rights agreement over CN. […]
Railroad story of the month: February 2009
A supplement to the Classic Trains Online Look Back e-mail newsletter Outfits I have known By Michael J. McLaughlin One of the most memorable aspects of my career in railroad maintenance of way is the “outfit.” An outfit was usually a collection of old revenue cars–both passenger and freight–converted to sleeping, cooking, shower, supply, tool, […]
Ask Trains from November 2006
Q On the front of a typical diesel locomotive are six “hoses.” Please define their purpose. Further, above the coupler is what appears to be a shorting hose. What is that? – Howard Beard, New Port Richey, Fla. A What you’re seeing is two sets of three hoses that are part of a train’s air-brake […]
Ask Trains from May 2008
Q As a boy, I used to watch the magnificent Southern Pacific cab-forward steam locomotives on their way to Donner Summit in Northern California. Someone referred to them as Mallets. What’s the true definition of a Mallet? — C.W. Haffey, Bakersfield, Calif. A By definition, a Mallet (mal-LAY) is an articulated, meaning the two engine […]
CTC: Remotely directing the movement of trains
Who controls the movement of the trains after the tower is closed? The train dispatcher is the most common heir to the towerman’s duties, but not always. The type of control used depends on the nature and density of the rail traffic handled at the location. Ways to preventing trains from colliding when railroad lines […]
