On another thread (Re: Old Southern Pacific RR Caboose) The conversation was getting off topic (and I thought, I’d start another Thread) To bring it back to that other topic.
The discussion started to talk about MOW and how they unloaded ties and gravel from cars, and how MOW Crews communitcted with the Dispatchers via various orders.
I found a series of videos that showed a MOW Truck ( Brandt) on the NSRR south of atlanta near Mc Donough, Ga. The conversations are recorded on the videos between the crews and Dispatchers. It is amazing( for the unfamiliar) to hear how anyone can make out what is being said. Any way here are the links:
Despite the videographer stating that the Brant Truck and cars was a train - it did not meet the Rule Book definition of a train - It did not have a locomotive and it did not display markers (red flag or EOT).
One thing to remember about recorded Train Dispatcher radio communications. Many times you are only he
Your explanation makes good sense. Makes the conversation in the first video, where the trucks operator was talking with a Dispatcher make much more sense; particularly if they were passing responses to fill in a " Boiler-Plated Form".
I did notice in the third video that one with the CWR on the flat cars, the last car’s coupler was flying a red flag ( I guess it was operating as a train?)
One thing I did notice was that when the Brandt was pulling cars it appeared to be tripping the track circuits for the crossing signals. Would an operator ( engineer?) who is apparently, pulling a string of cars, and obviously moving that string of cars at a speed more than just required for a short distance of movement; in that case of a move like that is a certification for engineer required? Or is there some kind of specific certification for the Brandt truck required when operating on railroad as opposed to only a CDL license ?
Quite an amazing set of videos. It really demonstrates the efficiency of steel wheels on steel rails. The driver of that truck hardly had to stir the gearbox at all to get up to a pretty good speed. I presume the air brake controls for the cars is somehow integrated into the truck’s braking system so the driver doesn’t have to deal with two sets of brakes.
MofW personnel must be certified on Rules and physical characteristics of their territory to operate any ‘track car’ on the Main Track(s). On my carrier, this certification is identified in the CADS dispatching system. Personnel seeking authorities for occupying the track must give the Dispatcher their employee ID number, which, if matched in the CADS system will let the Dispatcher issue the authority.
The Brandt truck, may or may not activate track circuits - when pulling the cars, the cars are activating the track circuits. Operators of on track equipment, other th