Easter Sunday was a beautiful day here in nowhere land. It was low 60’s and a gorgeous day - to train watch in the afternoon.
Went to a spot we hadn’t used for awhile and waited in the weeds, literally.
Parked not 25 feet from a resting Dash 8 and an SD40 waiting for a crew to take a mixed consist south.
Now let’s tax my brain - the Dash 8 had two axel trucks and the SD40 had 3 axel trucks. We looked at that Dash 8 for a long time trying to figure out why it looked so strange. Driver finally showed me - the 8 looked like the body was too big for the axels and the 40 looked too small for the axels. (my statement earlier that the shoes were too big for the body on an SD40.)
I think I have it right…if not, you will let me know.
But also saw something else, that triggered a question - of course. I know we have had numerous topics on switches, flange greasers and hotbox detectors, but until you see one, it doesn’t always mean anything.
A square box about 2 feet square - with a green light on the top and a red (dark) one right next to it. Pretty small lights, so a hotbox detector was my guess. Now tell me what it really was…
Heard numerous coal/freights overnight - and then the what I think is a kind of nice whistle of Amtrak. Next to steam, I really miss the old “covered wagon” whistles, but Amtrak makes a very nice change. It is almost harmony next to the utilitarian whistle of the “working” engines.
…I assume then, Jen…you will be sending us that very nice weather you spoke of having yesterday. We didn’t have it too nasty, just cloudy and kinda damp in the morning and temps in the mid 40’s…but…we hear it is to get up to low to mid 70’s by Wednesday. Would that be the stuff you will be sending…?
Did hear trains {NS}, yesteday…Have a Line about a mile north of us so can hear them but they are not in sight…Kinda surprised to hear them running on Easter Sunday.
Weather on it’s way. Should be fairly nice all week.
They ran a little during the late afternoon yesterday, but really cleaned out the yard overnight. The atmosphere was just right so we could hear everything on the east end of the yards - coming and going. It was wonderful! And Amrak was right on time!
Sis, that box-with-lights of yours doesn’t sound like any defect detector I’m familiar with (besides, they usually don’t have those things anywhere near a yard).
Beyond that, however, I don’t have a clue. Sorry. Maybe our stale Easter egg (MC) can help.
In steamy Florida yesterday I spent it at my sons home with my daughter in law & my 2 grandchildren. The grandchildren are the best then choo-choos follow that [:o)][:I][:D][:p][:)]
P.S. Looking forward to some of that nice weather of yours–tomorrow is supposed to be the best day around here, close to 70. I’m hoping we can perambulate our grandkid in LaGrange.
I don’t know what exactly you were asking about the locomotives, but not all Dash 8s have four-wheel trucks. In fact, the four-axle Dash 8s are a relative rarity, because that’s a lot of power to be putting through each traction motor.
Carl - Joe e’d me behind the scenes - it was good!
Anyway - he said it sounded like a small switch - for a siding and I think he is right. The driver pointed out - and as usual, I didn’t listen carefully - that there was a division of the rails just beyond this “box” and the left side went right to the fuel pumps. The right side just goes on out of town. I figured a “real switch” should be no smaller than a dwarf light. Duh Mookie!
I want to go back to the switch stand - at least for visual purposes - they don’t have to be operational! Gotta keep it simple for me!
The Dash 8 - was a real Dash 8 - and with the 4 axel - that’s what made it look so different. Took us awhile looking at it - but finally dawned on Driver what it was.
It was BNSF Norange #541if anyone is keeping track.
Mark - welcome to Nebraska weather! 3 days of spring, 3.5 days of fall. Then Hot or Cold!
The lights seem unusual for a switch, but it’s entirely possible that this is a radio-controlled switch, with the red and green lights being a quick way for the crew to determine if it needs to be thrown (which is done by keying a code into the radio). In our yard, you key in one code to determine the position of the switch, and a different code to throw it.
Is there a solar panel array anywhere near this box?
BC - there could be a whole greenhouse and I am not sure I would know. There was this box - about 2 feet square - or so - with these not very big lights right on top. Then a few feet further on was a box about the same dimensions, but only about a few inches off the ground. The first was probably a foot or so high. The one with the lights had “cords” running into the tracks. So it is definitely something to do with the tracks. This is located right in the middle of the yard - just a couple of blocks east of the overpass over the entire yard. We are between the yard office and the hump.
Here we are - just like trying to do brain surgery by e-mail! [;)]
Sounds like a hydraulic assist push-button short-throw switch to me. Quite a few in place on BNSF between La Junta and Amarillo for directional running…Wonder if the “box” says Nortrak, WCH or similar on it??
YES! The Feathers comes through for me again! The first picture is what it was only the lights were green and ? Too sunny to tell for sure, but looked maybe red?
Driver went as close as possible w/o getting on property to look at it, but I kept flapping my hands at him not to tresspass, so couldn’t see the name on it!
Now if you could just tell me what a “hydraulic assist push-button” whatever you said, is? ( I know it is a switch mover - I think - but why the fancy title?)
Instead of throwing the switch handle, a button is pushed (or radio remote control button key tone) and the contents of that little box (a hydraulic ram& cylinder and compressor) pushes the switch points over. If it’s red and green, you do not run through it backwards because part of the switch mechanism is “rigid”; green and yellow will allow you to run-thru the switch usually. (rules & superintendent’s instructions/orders dependent)… This is completely different than the horribly expensive CTC switch machine that most folks call a “power switch”…much simpler and much cheaper and can be used most anywhere.
Hoggers upset with these because they now can’t look at themselves in the mirror while the ground monkeys get off the unit to throw the switch. The brakies and the conductors now hassle them to “push 'da button” now, …such job pressure!
Well, since WallMart and K-Mart turned all their stores in Iraq into Target’s, it could limit your choice a bit, but slip down to your local Target and get your lawn watering devices. Install and engage. It takes a bigger wind to make a mud storm than a sand storm. Besides, as your neighbors sand touches down on your property, it gets wet and tends to stay in your place. Land has value. Collect some.[:D][:D][:D]