It looks to me that there is something not quite right with this train.
Let me guess—strange tankcar with what looks to be no underframe?[%-)]
First thing I noticed is that we have a placarded tank car 1st out (looks like a red placard, and I think the car says LPG). But the train is probably stopped (pistons on the locomotive are out)… so I’d guess it’s either a switching move or parked.
First, from where that photo was taken, the photographer was trespassing. Just thought I’d throw it out there. That’s one of the territories in New England that I’m qualified on, and the photographer had no place being where he was.
That photo is only a short blink of an eye in the grand scheme. They’re in the St Albans VT yard, and doing a pull from track #102, which is the arrival track from the north. They’re most likely moving the cut of cars down to be switched out, or that specific group of cars happened to be what was left on #102 if the CN had to set over to another track (which does happen when they come in with >100 cars at times, depending on what type of car).
That specific car is probably getting either set on one of the 75 car storage tracks, or is going to end up somewhere between position 6-15 or 20-30 for the road train. I can’t make out the plate rating - if it’s <F, then it’s probably going to the Vermont Rail System in Burlington VT.
Ding ding ding! We have a winner. Switch move within yard limits, for the purpose of blocking the train.
Thank you, thank you… amazing the little things you pick up right away.
[}:)] Title of picture: “GATX 9652 #1 in the consist switching at 1:15pm” emphasis added by me. [:D]
That doesn’t mean anything. My idea of switching and someone else’s may be 2 different things. Plus it can depend on where the train is at the time (main vs. yard).
Ah, I understand. [tup]
Plus I didn’t look at the title… too busy looking at that engine.
So…a buffer car is not needed when switching in yards?
No, cover or buffer cars are not used in yard switching.
I’m not too clued in on these things being a noob—is there a reason why they’re not used in yard switching?[%-)]
I would guess that ensuring that a buffer car was always in place would be a royal pain during yard switching, and hazardous-content tankers are designed to maintain their integrity through slow-speed accidents anyway, so the rules regarding buffer cars don’t apply during switching moves within yard limits.
As others noted, no buffer car next to engine…and look at the poor support for the otherside rail…Several low spots visible. Yes, if it’s a yard, one most likely can expect that…
DOT regulations do not require a buffer in yard switching. Most all carriers documents and rules on HazMat conform to DOT regs.
I was careful, however, to include a buffer car when I set up one of the scenarios for last night’s incident command course at our fire training center. Not that the students noticed.
The fellow with the “Fire Command” bib is pointing to the leaking tank car, which contains UN1831. The scenario had a train hitting a school bus (located directly below his index finger) and dragging it 100 yards, derailing the tanker in the process.
Sorry for the quality of the shot - cell phones aren’t real good with low-light situations like that.
The loco - a mostly dark red or maroon Geep ? - is mostly hidden by a tree, but the tanker is leaking a ‘cottony’ cloud of the 1831 haz-mat above the ‘‘MAIN ST.’’ label and in front of the 3-story red brick building ?
Interesting way to train - a couple minutes, and a whole new scenario. But the ‘helicopter view’ isn’t always so convenient to obtain, is it ?
Thanks for sharing - good illustration of the point. [;)]
- Paul North.
Grouch! Could he have used a telephoto? Dunno, me. Wouldn’t the correct location be “Italy Yard, St. Albans, VT”?
Hays
In my opinion it’s the unelevated track and the tank car put behind the engine without a buffer car.