[(-D] I’m a lumber salesman, not an engineer. Here’s what I can tell you: This train was one of about 6 that come accross that line during the day when I’m at work. No matter what the temperature, humidity, etc., none sounded loud like this one, including another grainer that followed about 3 hours later.
I’m a know-nothing, so I kind of like it when the know-it-alls explain things. Being of average intelligence, I feel I’m able to discern who is in a position to know what he’s talking about, and whose opinion to discount.
Hey, Norris!
Hard to give a straight answer without also knowing about the trains themselves. Most coal trains these days move in 286K aluminum gons or hoppers. Grain trains? They could be moving in 286K cars as well. Which means…(are you ready?) that the weight could be the same per car for both trains! It sounded like you expected a grain train to be considerably lighter.
Now factor in all of the other plausible things on the past two pages.
Norris I can say ive heard some dash 8-9 engines that are louder than others. I have no idea or reason for it as i have not looked into the exhast system on locomotives so i cant tell you if there is a muffler system of sorts or not. I can say that if its to loud in the cab my ear plugs are in. And that may sound strange but its never been of intrest for me to know about the engines because im not ever going to work on them.
Hmm… sounds like the old riddle, which is heavier, a pound of feathers, or a pound of lead?
Obviously, both coal and grain trains are heavy. The only time I had heard a loud train before, was a loaded coal train going up a hill. That’s why it surprised me, that a loaded grainer on the flats could be so loud.
So I’ve noticed [:-^]
The funny thing is, even if it WAS against the rules, that doesn’t mean the crew wasn’t breaking the rules, does it?
There is a distinct side of human nature that frequently sees rules as a test or challenge to be beaten.
And train road crews are (by definition) no exception. are they?
I hear about elaborate agreements between engineers and conductors that allow each other to catch naps while waiting on meets, and sometimes even while on the move. You also hear about roadcrews packing reading material in their grips, cell phones, etc and even notice a train every now and then that fails to blow the whistle at a nearby crossing.
Who knows? the crew might even run with the lead unit dead to make for an easier time catching up on a few missed z’zzzzzs?
There is no rule that says the lead unit has to be online or even running . it can be idle and not be a problem and yes there is guys who will run in violation. I myself wont because of the time off involved. road formen are pulling tapes all over just looking for exsesive engines on line to much dynamic extended idle time, all in fuel conservation. and the write ups are just as silly.
Now as far as reading material goes there is no rule that says you cant have reading material either there is no rule that say you cant have the ccell phone, and I dont break the no sleep rule either I take power naps. and as far as the fails to blow the horn goes …well maybe he should have taken a power nap.
Just for the sake of curiosity, is there no “exception proceedure” where a train crew can call for authority to waive some restrictions?
Just to illustrate, suppose they had encountered excessive slipping, and had two idle units in tow, are you saying that there is no one on the entire railroad having the authority to approve an exception? That seems odd.