I was looking though some of Jarrett’s pictures and ran across this one.
I guess the loco wins, just like Nascar, only on rails. [;)] [:D]
OK, so what is up with the red/white checkered flag?
Is this a “No Go” for the train? If so, is it because of smoke and fumes in the tunnel?
Inquiring minds want to know, and so does Jim. [}:)] [;)] [:D]
I hate it when I do that [:(]
http://photobucket.com/albums/v259/mario_puzo/?action=view¤t=cscd_tnl_rsz04.jpg
Jim,
The checkerd flag is a curtain, to seal the tunnel.
I beleive that this tunnel uses a postivie pressure exhaust system, in that it is more efficent to pump fresh air into the tunnel, than try and exhaust or suck iut the fumes.
So, closing the ends allows a positive pressure to build up.
As the train approaches, the curtain lifts, once the train is inside the tunnel, the curtain on that end drops, the fans come on, and outside air is forced into the tunnel.
When the train exits the other end, that curtain stays up for a while, to allow the pressure to exhaust the gases, then closes, waiting for another train.
At least, thats what I remeber reading ,once, a long time ago.
Of course, yesterday was, for some of us, long ago too, so I may have it wrong…
I do know the transformer to the left is part of the power system for the tunnel.
Model Railroad had a article about modeling this feature, back in the mid 90s, I think.
Ed
The photo is taken at the east end of the Cascade tunnel in WA state-- Yes? - The fan housing is at the l/h side and does operate as above.
Great for photo’s of trains heading east - but very noisy!
Hey JHHT – what happened to your last post – don’t see it ?
Not sure. As Dan H. says, I have halftimers. [;)]
Sorry JHH… faster than a herd of turtles this weekend (maybe)
You have a portal door there to help the ventilation clear the air in the tunnel and to help the local air pressure on either side of the tunnel equalize (the ddors close automatically based on where a train is in the signal circuit at) . Nice paint job…it would appear that somebody hit the door in the dark one too many times when the power failed or there was a glitch in the system (Hi-rail or train)