So let’s say a conductor is on one side of the train and he needs to get to the other. Does the conductor need to walk around? Or can he climb over? And what if the train is in the yard?
Just to be sure I understand, what you’re asking is: If the conductor is on one side of a freight train stopped in a yard or along the line, and he wants to get to the other side of the train, what does he do??
He wouldn’t climb over the cars - in the last decades, that hasn’t been possible anyway as the ladders don’t go to the top anymore. I suppose if a flat car were handy, he could get up and that and walk across to the other side.
Ideally I’d think the railroad for safety reasons would want him to walk around the train on one end or the other. In reality, if there was no imminent threat of the train moving, he’d probably go between the cars and duck under the couplers to the other side.
Find a tank car, spinecar or a flatcar (anything with a walking surface across and you have stopped/controlled the movement on that track), 3- point contact rule at the ready, or take the time and go around…
I have seen yardmen cross over a train, between cars at the couplers (OVER, never UNDER) that have no engine attached, without any communication with anyone about it.
I have also heard (on a scanner) a yardman ask/tell the engineer of an engine attached to a set of cars, “Red Zone” and the engineer respond, “Roger, set and centered, red zone.” and then I have seen the person climb between cars (OVER the couplers) to cross to the other side.
It is my understanding that going UNDER a train (car or couplers) is pretty much a no-no, except in some pretty rare circumstances where the train/cars are tied down/blocked for repair (I think they called it “blue carded” or “blue lighted”).
I have also seen/heard a trainman notify the engineer when he was about to go around the train at either end. (Just being safe, I guess!)
This is all based on my observation, not by my knowing any rules of any sort.
Blue flagged is the term, although oftimes you’ll find a blue light in use.
The NORAC and CSX version of Red Zone is “three step” - reverser centered, brake set, and field switch off.
I’m not as nimble as I used to be - not likely you’ll find me going under the cars unless I absolutely have to. I’ll walk around if I have to. Aside from our trains being short (rarely over 9 85’ cars for our longer trips, usually 3-4 for our “locals”), we do have the advantage of vestibules that allow us to cross the train safely, too (if the doors are open).
Chuck Norris doesn’t cross over the train. Chuck Norris makes the train cross over him.
Sorry. It was just too good to pass up.
Going under the cars is a no-no. Period. Going on the roofs of the cars is also a no-no (for railroaders). Period. Stepping on the couplers to cross over is also a no-no. Period. Exclamation mark!
Most freight cars have a walkway at each end to allow crossing from side to side. As MC said, three-point contact; as CSX says, three-step protection, and you can zip over by the count of three.
Seriously, most freight cars have these end walkways. Among those that don’t, the most notable are the 89-foot flat cars of any sort. Unless you have very long legs or arms that go near to the ground, you can’t legally cross these (no three-point contact possible). Auto racks, forget about it–totally unsafe to cross through. Some cars, like tank and stack cars, have the end platforms built into the design.
Crossing under the couplers would be the last thing anyone should do. Not only is the vertical clearance beneath the couplers fairly low, but also, couplers are relatively close to the trucks, so if it moves, you have less time to get out of the way of the wheels. On top of that, you have the air hoses hanging down, and the pin lifter mechanism that would tend to snag a person crossing under the couplers.
I am not sure what the practice is nowadays, but there used to be grab irons across the ends of cars that would aid somebody crossing over above the couplers. You just had to be sure you did not step onto a cushioned underframe drawbar because if it happened to telescope, it could suck your leg into a crushing action.
Also, I know of no time in history that it was permissible or even practiced to cross under cars, even if it was not under couplers. But crossing over couplers was common, as was going over the top if that was easier.
http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k143/edblysard/If a locomotive is attached…
Under GCOR and most GCOR railroads, you request Red Zone Protection, (Norac railroads call it 3 Step Protection) from the engineer, and once you have verification, you use the crossover platform, (the walkways at the end of the car).
Once clear on the other side, you release the Red Zone.
Free standing cuts with no locomotive attached do not require Red Zone, but you must check for and be prepared for movement, maintaining 3 point contact as much as possible.
Most cars, with the exception of some mill gons and most flat cars have these crossover platforms, for just that reason.
Crossing over at the coupler is a rules violation, be it under or over…
Crossing over a flat car with a engine attached is also a violation, in fact, entering or riding in any freight car with a locomotive attached to the train is a rules violation…you walk till you find a suitable car with the proper crossover platform, then cross.
Going under any car for any reason without Red Zone Protection is, for T&E employee , a safety rule violation.
Car men can move under and work under cars with Blue flag protection and track lockout.
Norac uses the term Three Step Protection in place of Red Zone…basically the engineer must center the reverser, set the locomotive independent brake, make a 20 lbs reduction on the train line (if the train is under air, no reduction required if it is a switch cut) and place the generator switch to the off position.
He may not move any control surface or allow the train to move until the person who requested Red Zone Protection releases said protection.
Only the person who requested protection can release said protection.
I can not “clear” my helper/switchman, nor can he request Red Zone or clear it for me.
If you ever see a T&E employee crossing under any freight car, you are looking at a dead man walking,
Here’s a photo that shows the crossover platform on a box car. I looked for a photo that wasn’t taken of the end with the brake wheel to show they are on each end of the car. Most hoppers, covered hoppers and bulkhead flats have these at both ends also.
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=32132
Jeff