On Topic Part 2

[Mookie]

I was advised to post this and that you would all be very serious about this and would answer me so I can understand and could add to my small nugget of knowledge and wouldn’t give me a bad time about what I post and I laughed out loud!

Having said that: Is there a standard for how far apart signals are placed (outside the yards). Do they actually place them, say a mile apart like country roads that cross, or do they just stick them any old where.

The 2nd part is an observation. I’ve noticed the pigeons inspect each train as it comes and goes through the yards. They seem to be able to tell the grain from the coal. So surely that makes them employees of BNSF, but in what capacity?

Thank you for your patience and your answers. Now let it rip…

[Datafever]

The 2nd part is an observation. I’ve noticed the pigeons inspect each train as it comes and goes through the yards. They seem to be able to tell the grain from the coal. So surely that makes them employees of BNSF, but in what capacity?

[(-D]

[zardoz]

I was advised to post this and that you would all be very serious about this and would answer me so I can understand and could add to my small nugget of knowledge and wouldn’t give me a bad time about what I post and I laughed out loud!

La Mook, we would NEVER give you a bad time about what you post. Of course, we MIGHT give you a bad time on other issues…

Having said that: Is there a standard for how far apart signals are placed (outside the yards). Do they actually place them, say a mile apart like country roads that cross, or do they just stick them any old where.

Generalization:
The signals are placed such that an engineer seeing a more restrictive indication has time to act accordingly. In high-speed locations, if the signals are the simple type (clear, approach, red), then they will be a few miles apart; if there is a more elaborate signal system in place (using advance approach, medium clear, etc), then the signals can be closer together, as the engineer usually will have two signals between himself and a stop signal.

The 2nd part is an observation. I’ve noticed the pigeons inspect each train as it comes and goes through the yards. They seem to be able to tell the grain from the coal. So surely that makes them employees of BNSF, but in what capacity?

Officials.

[tree68]

Having said that: Is there a standard for how far apart signals are placed (outside the yards). Do they actually place them, say a mile apart like country roads that cross, or do they just stick them any old where.

What Z said, but in even simpler terms, train/track speed and train length.

The 2nd part is an observation. I’ve noticed the pigeons inspect each train as it comes and goes through the yards. They seem to be able to tell the grain from the coal. So surely that makes them employees of BNSF, but in what capacity?

Management obviously. Less noticable but more feared are the ones that sit on small, backless chairs in the weeds.

[Hugh_Jampton]

I was advised to post this and that you would all be very serious about this and would answer me so I can understand and could add to my small nugget of knowledge and wouldn’t give me a bad time about what I post and I laughed out loud!

Having said that: Is there a standard for how far apart signals are placed (outside the yards). Do they actually place them, say a mile apart like country roads that cross, or do they just stick them any old where.

Signal spacing is based on the longest stopping distance of any train likely to use the line. I use the simple formula of speed squared divided by twice the braking rate, then add a bit for safety’s sake.

The 2nd part is an observation. I’ve noticed the pigeons inspect each train as it comes and goes through the yards. They seem to be able to tell the grain from the coal. So surely that makes them employees of BNSF, but in what capacity?

They’re consultants.

[blhanel]

The 2nd part is an observation. I’ve noticed the pigeons inspect each train as it comes and goes through the yards. They seem to be able to tell the grain from the coal. So surely that makes them employees of BNSF, but in what capacity?

Hopefully they’re not stool pigeons…[:D]

[CShaveRR]

Experts.

They come in, pick at your work, leave their criticism all over everything, and fly away.

Sis, I think the other folks have it right about the signals.

On that subject, I saw something that amazed me while in Michigan yesterday. When I used to ride the GTW from Grand Haven to Grand Rapids, there was a “station protection signal” a good distance west of the diamonds at Fuller (actually in the GR city limits). It functioned pretty much like a distant signal for an interlocking–would show Approach until an approaching train got to a certain point, then it would clear if the track ahead was unoccupied. That is no longer a main line, but is still used by, I think, the Grand Rapids & Eastern or a successor (Mid-Michigan?). Anyway, the signal had been moved further east–in fact, I’d say it was probably no more than 500 feet away from a signal protecting the diamond at Fuller (used to be two diamonds–one railroad is outta there now).

[edblysard]

Most of them work for the USDA, as grain inspectors…they decide which grain is best suited for pizza crust, which makes good bread…although one or two actually are “plants”, under cover DEA agents looking for smuggled poppy seeds…

You can tell the supervisor from the rest, he is the one walking around with his chest stuck out, bobbing up and down and making a lot of rude noise.

As Carl pointed out, they seem to never accomplish much beyond crapping on everything and getting in the way…typical Federal employees.