are there some rules to respect when building-uo a US freight train

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I am building up a long US freight train and I was curious to know whether in practice, some rules may apply concerning the composition of trains. For example, whether some types of cars may never be placed just behind the engine(s). I can imagine that some specific rules apply for cars carrying dangerous goods (like tank cars…).

2

you’ve got the “dangerous goods” part right → nothing hazardous can be right behind the locomotive (though I don’t know if this still applies with a double-headed train)

“dangerous goods” come in all varieties - liquid/gas in tank cars, solid haz-mat type stuff (radioactive/explosives), but also anything solid that might shift during transport (wouldn’t want that really big thing going through our expensive locomotive, now would we?).

other than that I don’t think there’s really much that needs to be worried about.

3

A lot depends on the era, the locale and prototype you are attempting to replicate.

In general, cars that needed attention - stock cars, reefers, etc - by the crew (I believe) were kept near the head end of the train. Heavier cars would also go to the front and lighter cars towards the rear.

But few rules are hard and fast or universal. If the train has a lot of pick-ups and set outs along its route, the cars will be arranged in “blocks” for the convience of the crew.

-George

4

The rule book for building up a train is actually quite complex. It also varies by company.

You would be better off asking someone on the trains forum.

5

I’d say keeping the hazardous materials cars a few cars away from the locos is about the only rule there really is as far as the order of rolling stock goes. Other than that, just have fun…

Tracklayer

6

Very basic:

  • Dangerous loads must not be placed next to a locomotive, occupied caboose or business car, or shiftable load. This spacing also applies to manned helpers.
  • Shiftable loads must not be place next to a locomotive, caboose, business car, loaded HAZMAT tank car or loaded autorack.
  • Loaded autoracks are not to be placed behind “blowable” loads, ie open top hoppers loaded with coal, sand, gravel, etc.
  • Clearance Implicated shipments (High-Wide and High Value Shipments) must be handled with-in 5 cars of locomotive or occupied caboose.
  • Blocks of 30 or more loads are to be handled on the head end.
  • Blocks of 30 or more emties must not be trailed by more then 5 loads.
  • In mixed service, empty intermodal cars must be handled on the rear.
  • In mixed service, passenger equipement moving on it’s own wheels, must be handled on the rear.

There is an entire rule book devoted to train make up. These are just some basic guide lines.

Nick

7

A few more…

Loaded hazmat should be at least 5 cars from the engine, and at least 1 car from a running mechanical refrigerator car. Empty (“residue”) cars need 1 spacer.

We usually put business cars on the head end, for less slack action.

We have run a block of 50 loaded grain behind empty pig flats, not a good idea. The BRC wanted it that way so they could chop off the grain easier. Guess that mgmt person hasn’t been in train service.

Usually you want the empties behind the loads. The brakes on the empties set up faster, and there should be less run-ins. Half the time we have the loads at the rear. Our yards are too small to handle the trains we run.

8

Gents,

Thanks for the enlighting comments. What do you guys call “business cars” ? Passenger cars ?

Nick, what do you mean with "blocks of 30 or more empties should not be trailes by more than 5 loads ?

9

Our rules are a bit different, no blocks of 20 loads behind 20 empties. It means you don’t have 20 loaded cars right behind 20 empties.

Say you have a train of 40 cars, 20 are empty and 20 are loaded.

  • = empty x= load.

(Engine)--------------------xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx(caboose/EOT) Engine, 20 empties, 20 loads, caboose/EOT. This train is blocked wrong. You have the chance of the heavier loads forcing a lighter empty car to derail during braking, slack run-in, etc.

(Engine)xxxxxxxxxx--------------------xxxxxxxxxx(caboose/EOT) Engine 10 loads, 20 empties, 10 loads, caboose/EOT. This train is acceptable under our rules. May not be the best arrangement, but is legal to us, and I’ve had some put together like this.

Jeff

10

I remember reading in a MR a few years ? back that while it is good to operate like the prototype, it is sometimes better to develop your own rules or standards to best suit your space, etc. Just my two cents

11

Guys,Listen well.Freight trains are made into destination blocks that include empties and loads.The main thing is to keep the hazmats away from the engines…I have seen empty pig/stack cars between the engine and loads,I have seen hazmat cars next to the rear car,I seen flammable loads next to loaded coal hoppers.

Again freight trains are classified into destination blocks regardless of empties or loads.

12

You are quite correct. When the yard engine is switching cars onto individual classification tracks, making up the different blocks i.e., cars for city A to track 1, cars for city B to track 2 and so on, they don’t care, for most things, how the cars stand on those tracks.

However, when those individual blocks are going to be made up into the train, then all the rules come into play. On our railroad, the computer will place a warning on the train list of most placement conflicts. Sometimes you will see placement that is ok for one train, but not another. Some placement is ok for light tonnage trains, but not for trains over a certain tonnage.

Either the yard crew fixes any problems, or the road crew does. Been there, done that.

Jeff

13

Larry,

That’s not entirely true. Yes the trains are classifed into destination blocks, however, all applicable train build rules still apply. (CSX Rules)

  • You can’t have a more then 5 loads behind a block of 30 empties, regardless of classification. You either have to put the empties on the rear, or break up the block.
  • Passenger equipement moving on it own wheel MUST be on the rear end, regardless of classification.
  • High Wide & High Value shipments MUST be within 5 cars of an occupied locomotive or caboose, regardless of classification.
  • In mixed frieght service, certain empty intermodal cars MUST be on the rear, regardless of classification.
  • HAZMATs must be properly spaced, regardless of classification.
  • Certain cars have limited trailing tonnage, regardless of classification.

All these rules can and often do result in cars being out of destination block. Ignore these rules, and you may have to answer some uncomfortable questions from the Trainmaster, Division Manager, and FRA. BTW, willfully violating Federal HAZMAT guidelines, is punishable by fines up to $10,000 per car.

Nick

14

A business car is a passenger car used by company officials, for inspection tours, publicity stunts, and to impress shippers and government officials. Typically, they move by themselves in special trains.

More then 5 loaded cars may not be placed behind a solid block of 30 or more empties. (30 or more empties in a row)

Nick

15

Apropos of thje mention of what era you’re talking about would be ice refrigerator cars and stock cars (neither of which has been in use for the last25 years or more). Reefers were generally blocked at the rear or front of the train to facilitate re-icing en-route. Loaded stock cars were always Carried directly behind the engine both to facilitate the required periodic “resting” of the livestock and (mostly) to prevent injury by slack action.

I don’t know what the current rules are for “burying” hazardous cars, but wnem I was working on the RR (18 years ago) a dangerous car (usually a tank car) had to be handled at least 5 cars from and engine or occupied caboose, “where practicable”. If you only had a 12 car train and 4 of them were dangerous you’d "bury the 4 cars deep from either end.

16

Well I guess my 91/2 years as a brakeman means nothing…I guess spending a life time studying railroads means nothing? I guess hours track side closely observing the prototype means nothing including yard work at Bellevue?

No…You are not observering freight trains close enough

17

I do not believe any one is saying that hazmat cars must be close to the front of the train. They can be anywhere as long as they are not within the head five cars. Bulkhead flat cars are okay to ride the head end as they have “structures” on them. In the old days, scale cars had to ride next to the caboose.

Paul

18

Sounds like the only rule is that there are many different sets of rules :slight_smile:

19

Now you see those scale cars on the end or near the end…Yesterday I saw a empty heavy duty 18 axle flat car bringing up the rear of a NS train…

All I am saying a closer observation of a freight train will reveal a lot of things espeically if you railfan a lot…

I recall seeing a local with a 2 car consist of loaded ammonia chemical cars.

20

Man, it seems I triggered a real discussion here. Actually, your comments are quite interesting. I almost forgot that your railroads are all private. So the rules may vary from one railroad to another ?

Here in Europe, each country has its national railroad, but all railroads (or almost all) follow the same safety rules dictated by the international UIC.

Obviously, looking at the reality is perhaps the best you can do, but it does not always reveal all details (I believe you have to see many trains to draw some conclusions). Then, obviously, from Europe it is always a little difficult. I could buy some 10 different CD Roms to check, but I believe sharing my questions with you guys will be cheaper …