A picture I just saw on RP.net reminded me of something funny I once saw on CSX’s Riverline in New York State. A northbound was waiting in the siding for several hours, leting a fleet of southbounds pass. A couple seconds before the final southbounder passed, over scanner I heard “here it comes!” Just then I notice the southbound’s conductor was riding on the front porch of his SD40-2. Just as he came even with the waiting train he chucked a huge ball of shaving crew onto the Northbound’s Dash 8 windshield. Over the scanner I heard “damn it, Paul (I forget what name he really said).” The northbound’s conduct came out and wiped off the mess, gave me a waved and then the train took off. I still laugh about it today…
heh. nice. i love when train crews can have a good time. of course had it been me, the fact that i’m in and assisting a train in moving goods is enough for me to have a great and unforgetable time!
Nice…hehehehe.
Back around 1980 as a high school railfan, I drove my car to the big Uceta Yard in Tampa where locomotives were still being serviced. (Yes, railfans were welcome).
After a taking some photos I decided to head home. As I drove along on the access road parellel next to one of the tracks I saw a Seaboard Coast Line U36B coming towards me.
I blew my car horn in the “Shave-and-a-Haircut” sequence as it passed me. The engineer blasted back on his horn with a short and loud__“Two-Bits!”__ and waved.
I so often managed, one way or the other, to encounter some very cool railroaders![:)][4:-)][tup]
jdirelan. What part over the west shore(RIVER LINE) was it on east end or the west end??? I live near the west shore in rochester ny and oh yea in rochester ny at genesee junction alot of funny stuff i here on my scanner.
In south central Pennsylvania where I live the CSX crews always wave back at you. They are very freindly
Here you guys go. I forgot I had this in my pictures file, I dotn remember where i got it from.
Enjoy
Nick
imagine if someone got in the cab and blew the horn…
The pressure from the horn might actually injure the man.
not to mention render him deaf
Ja. That would be the least of his worries. Those horns are what… 150 psi? It has to be beyond the ability of those jeans to protect him =)
that’s why i try to not be seen when a train goes by until the lead unit passes. i hate getting “friendly honks”. i honestly wish they only blew the horn when they needed to
I find olser units with the valves that the engineer could regulate the amout of air going to the horn to be the loudest when standing beside a locomotive. The newer ones are still loud but not as bad.
With CN’s cowl you NEED earplugs if you are goign to sit on the conductors side with your window open.
Train crews always have fun…
I love my job, I love my job, I love my job…
LC
I like the friendly honks. An easy way to keep from going deaf around them is to have earmuffs. I always have a pair in my car. When I go railfanning, or happen to catch a train on the way, I simply whip them out of the box, stand near the crossing, and take all the pics/video I want without ever being affected by the noise. Really, anybody who goes trackside would be best having ear protection available. That way they can stand there laugh at the certain few crewmen who try to scare them with those blasts, as well as survive standing at crossings.
Yes LC I hear that from other rails ( someone said they heard me mumbling it too but I dont remember I was in my happy place)
We spray water at each other as we pass by,answer when other crews call for a cab ( they hate that!!)Impersonate people on the radio you know all teh stuff that keeps you up on thrids.
my earplugs that i tried out are horrible. they hardly block out any sound at all. maybe it is muffs i need. crossings arent so bad because you know the horn is coming. but “friendly honks” are A, not friendly. and B, a waste of horn use. some crews…
Isn’t that illegal…!
Cute.
Yeah, I recommend earmuffs over earplugs. They seem way more effective, can be quickly put in use, just as easily removed, and you don’t have to worry about them falling out. Just be sure to get a decent pair. I’d recommend a decibel reduction of at least 20…the more, the better. And make sure it isn’t one of those cheaply built ones that have an extra bit of plastic on the headband that digs into your skull, unless you always wear a decent cap. I found that out the hard way after buying a $5 pair.