Sometimes while watching trains, a train that is stopped at a red signal will sit for over 2 hours. When I start watching trains, the train will be sitting there, and 2 hours later, it still hasn’t met another train and is still sitting. I would think waiting 2 hours for a meet doesn’t occur very often, so why the long wait?
In August when UP was having congestion problems - I saw 8 trains being held eastbound into Green River, WY junction. Most were on passing tracks but at least 2 were stopped on the main. You can bet that it took more than 2 hours to clear all of that through the junction.
dd
2 hours is nothing, some trains will sit for 5 or 6 or even longer depending on conditions.
The worst is when you are at the end of a long haul, and you sit just outside of the yard, waiting for a spot. You’re ready to tie up, but they don’t have anywhere in the yard for you to go, so you just sit there waiting for a light.
I think Mark has covered the waterfront pretty well, but here are a couple of others.
The train may be waiting for a track car or MOW equipment to clear up ahead. Remember trains are not permitted to follow track cars under most operating rules.
Another train may have suffered a derailment or a complete locomotive failure ahead blocking the main track.
Those are two that come to my mind.
LC