Time for a look at the Big Boys, we are playing with the Big Boys now. No reference intended toward UP's Big Boy. :startled: Yard switching moves. Submit your favorite railfanning yard or industrial switch moves here. To get started, here is one from Iowa. Note the crew is using radio's instead of hand signals to communicate with the hog head. To bad the filmmaker didn't have a scanner turned on so you could hear them. Also note one of the crew and I will presume either the conductor or switchman is working from a switch list. [video=youtube;BKeYXpGFc4k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKeYXpGFc4k[/video] On of the problems with switching out freight cars and spotting them in the yard, is the slow moves it takes to get the job done safely. Look at the track in the yard. That looks like mine on my layout. Grin!
Watch the hand signals the switchman uses. From Freemont, NB.. [video=youtube;Y4H1F80Svhg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4H1F80Svhg[/video]
Yup. Standard hand signals. In this instance, certainly looked faster than using a radio. Those guys must work together a lot. They were quick and efficient. I don't know where that yard is located, in the first video. Maybe Buddy Burton could tell us?
Have to imagine it's much the same as it is in the military with maneuvering heavy equipment around - the hand and arm signals are often clearer and faster than voice or radio communications, and with standard, distinct signals there's almost no chance of misunderstanding intent.
I watched this video early on and didn't really have a place to fit it in. I've spent the better part of yesterday and this morning looking for it. Finally, I found it. This next video will give you a perspective we rail fanners seldom ever get to see or hear. Listen as the switchman and hogger communicate and do pay attention to the verbiage. I have no idea where this video was shot. It's lengthy and takes longer then a switch move would take on our layouts. Popcorn, soda or favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy. [video=youtube;0u0cSOK1SbY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u0cSOK1SbY[/video]
In Chicago, IL., kicking some freight cars. Sorry, we won't be able to listen into the crew as they cut the cars. [video=youtube;uc_6aqzExpw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc_6aqzExpw[/video]
On the UP systems, kicking is only allowed at specific yards. It makes setting out cars seriously fast, but with today's rules and managers, it's still MUCH slower than it was just 10 years ago. In the Grand Junction yard, where I've worked before, we have 4 different speeds that we kick cars. The radio commands are, "a little pin", which is 1-2 mph; "pin" 4-5 mph; little kick, 6-8 mph; and "kick" which is 9-10 mph. Each one used depends on car type and which track you want to kick cars into. Some tank cars, if they're being kicked into fairly straight track, can be kicked on the "bounce". You stop the movement next to you, so you don't have to walk , and when the contents of the tank car slosh, or "bounce", the car against the rest of the train, you pull the pin. The momentum of the sloshing will then carry the tank car on down the track. At about the 6:00 minute mark in the last video, you can see the swtichman/foreman, do exactly this. Switching can be fun and challenging, but I personally feel more at home on a train, making trips over the road.
Yup. I'll work the yard when I can't hold a road job. The set schedule of a yard job is certainly attractive, and a lot of the guys that work in the yard love the challenge of it. That's not me.
[video=youtube;4U3TFi9XetE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U3TFi9XetE[/video] Sorry but whoever filmed this didn't have a scanner turned on so we could here the crew talking. Humm something to think about the next time I'm out chasing switch crews. Did anyone notice, one of the switches is missing just about everything it needs and is sitting off to the side? Looks like most of the spur has already been pulled up. If on your layout, your track work looks half as good as what you see here. The prototype or the 1x1 foot scale. Your doing alright as far as I'm concerned. COL
This should be familiar to some of you Rails and interesting to the model railroad set. The following video wasn't meant to be made for railfans but as a teaching tool for Santa Fe employees. Here you will see and learn about hand signals, you'll see "Slack" at work and there's much more to learn. Take a minute or two to review the video and let's see how much of this you can put into action or put to work for you, on your model railroad. See if the nostalgia doesn't remind you of days long gone. Happy Rail Fanning! [video=youtube;2cA9cE4dIVU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cA9cE4dIVU#t=32[/video] How did you like it?
Having come from a family of Rails, I remember them saying they'd rather work the locals or yard duty. Here is a safety film from the Santa Fe archives. We can all learn something from this video. [video=youtube;YFftm3bXNOs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFftm3bXNOs[/video]
For all you Great Northern rail fans. Here is a film filled with nostalgia with everything from working stoves, yard goats to FT's pulling the Great Northern Empire Builder. Yes, it's a safety film and in it you will not hear terminology model railroaders use in their magazines, videos, DVD's, at club meets and in other rail fanning experiences. True. Enjoy the video.[video=youtube;_MS9UFPLbuk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MS9UFPLbuk[/video] I think Thomas the Tank videos has had way to much influence on model railroaders.:wideeyes:
For the Rio Grande enthusiast and speeders. You will enjoy the nostalgia from this video as well as some excellent working points. A video with a different perspective with emphasis on safety first. [video=youtube;zzsUzuW76OE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzsUzuW76OE[/video]
A change of pace coming up next. For those of you interested in a Cab Ride, M.O.W. operations and as a bonus Garrisso Gorge. Here is a video for you. Rather lengthy as most of the more modern video's are. Popcorn, favorite beverage and an easy chair and you should be set. [video=youtube;L66pfI5fuqY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L66pfI5fuqY[/video] Check out the Goat Canyon Trestle. Harrumph, we have two speelings for the gorge. That's ok you can pick your favorite.
I don't quite understand why they were kicking these cars individually. Towards the end of the clip you can see a couple of the previously kicked cars running down the same siding. I'm guessing they are spotting for different industries? It doesn't seem like kicking would be good for spotting cars on industry tracks as you don't really know where the cars will wind up. Sorting in a yard is different as it doesn't matter where they stop so much, just if they are in the right order on the correct track. Kevo
Empties flying switched, back down the front side to be loaded. Full loads butted down the other side to join other hoppers to be goated out of there.
You've been watching the crews perform various switch jobs. Would you like to see something different? How about a cab ride on the KCS, taken by the conductor who appears to remain anonymous. This held a surprise for me, see if it hits you the same way. [video=youtube;XqNZIin4-co]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqNZIin4-co[/video] Yes, it's a long video but worth the time to view it.
Canton Railroad Baltimore, MD - March 2011 by Kevin A. Mueller Courtesy of:Kevin Mueller You won't be able to hear the crews talking but there is some interesting duel operations going on. [video=youtube;Xixq-8RNX88]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xixq-8RNX88[/video] Uploaded on Mar 29, 2011 Engine 1501 is seen at the beginning pushing cars accross Holibird Ave on March 28th 2011. This is followed by 1307 crossing in the opposite direction. Engine 1203 is shown on March 29th 2011 switching tank cars at the Sun Products co. Afterwards 1203 returns to the Newkirk St. yard after crossing Poncabird Pass and Holibird Ave. 1203 finally parks alongside of 1501. The last scene shows engines 1364 and 1307 pulling a train north crossing Boston St. As submitted by: Kevin Mueller.
