So let’s for the sake of argument assume that someone is stupid enough to be crossing a railroad bridge that has no footpath (which I do NOT recommend in any way), but for the sake of argument let’s say our John Doe is right in the middle of the bridge when our freight comes rolling by. Not enough time to make it to the end, no room on the sides. So John Doe lies flat. Would the train actually clear his body and would John Doe be OK? What if John Doe were fat? I’m guessing that the grate in front of the locomotive is the lowest part on the train - it seems to me that if that is cleared then the rest of the train shouldn’t be a problem, correct? What is the actual clearance under that front locomotive grate? And is that the lowest part of the train? Or am I missing something else?
Take a look at the front of a locomotive. There does not appear to be much clearance there. I think the quote in my signature would be appropriate for him.
Back in the 1980’s a couple of small time crooks with “towering” I.Qs robbed a liquor store near the primary rail freight yard in the state. They got away with a little cash and a fair amount of hard liquor which they proceeded to drink most of. Feeling suitably intoxicated they decided to go swimming in a local river not very far from the scene of the crime, and after their swim they decided to take a nap in the sun to dry off (this happened in broad daylight), finding a comfortable spot BETWEEN THE RAILS leading into the yard…
A switch job came along, and, not able to stop in time, dragged both men several hundred feet…one lived with injuries(he was able to recover in the prison ward), and one died on the spot…
True story, at the time a coworker of mine who had grown up with the deceased robber attended his funeral…
Linked here: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rails-Railroad-2468/railroad-rail.htm
Question
I need to know the height of a standard railroad rail
Thanks
Answer
Thanks for your question.
Like so many things that seem simple, the answer to your question depends. As much as it seems that all railroad rails are the same, there are a range of sizes, all of them slightly different. Rails are basically characterized by the weight of a yard length of that rail. There are other ways to characterize them, but for rail vehicular applications, this is the common method. Size can range from 115 lbs(per linear yard) for lighter weight rail, to over 140 lbs heavy rail. Height from bottom plane to the top of an unground rail will range from 6 1/4" to 7 5/16" for the foregoing rail sizes.
So there you have it. I hope this is useful to you.
And to get an idea of the height of space under a locomotive (conviently) provided video of the rerailing of an NS loco gives on the idea of how much space might be available under your average diesel locomotive:
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/176122.aspx
IT would appear on observation to lay between the rails while said diesel passes over that someone foolish enogh to be in the position of laying between the rails, hoping for the best outcome while praying for no dragging gear under the locomotive or any of the cars in its care. That individual would have to have the physique of one who had spent many months enjoying the hospitality of a Concentration Camp as well as the 'LUCK of a whole battalion of Irish
The only situation with which I’m familiar in which there would be sufficient clearance would be on a subway such as CTA or NYCTA or some large stations where half-ties set in concrete hold the rails in place and there is a trough of sorts between the half-ties.
I believe the traction motors are the lowest part of a locomotive.
Here in Arizona illegal border crossers from Mexico were being told to sleep between the rails at night to avoid snakes, and were being crushed by the locomotives.
Have read several reports where a train has passed over a passed-out drunk laying in the gauge and woken him up unharmed under the middle of the train. If I remember right, the minimum clearance between any part of the locomotive and the rail head must be 2 inches. Normally, it is about 4 to 6 inches. It think the real danger is getting wonked by a low air hose between cars.
Of course depending on the direction that someone is laying that wonk of the air hose could be extremely painful.[:O] Or life threatening. Granted in one direction we could have the rare Darwin award recipient–the survivor.
You could always get creative…click each pic for a larger image and info.
Well I can safely say that is beyond my athletic ability…
LOL
Hey, how’d you get to the other side for another picture so fast? Or was that one a different group of kids? I see the graffiti shows the same spot.
That happened when I was growing up in Bucyrus, Ohio back in the early 80’s. Guy apparently left a bar drunk late one night near the Conrail main through town and decided to lay down between the rails. Amtrak (either Broadway Limited or Capitol Limited) came through, and the engineer put the train into emergency, stopping with the cars over the guy. He was still asleep when the police and crew went under the train to wake him up.
I would think that would be a rather sobering experience.
Kevin
Fast legs. [;)]