Saw this caboose this afternoon. Can anybody tell me what it could be used for, other then show. A end shot showing just how small it is. Some more photos are in my railimage folder. Also saw a UP engine that had 'Y' in front of the number, why is that? Steve http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/5828
Looks like it has a plow beneath it, Steve. Could be for ballast regulation when dropping new ballast?
Caboose? Negative--it's a flanger! Plow? Cleans snow and ice from between the rails. The UPY number denotes yard service, IIRC. Where did you see this stuff? I have relatives in Stockton, and visited them via the Amtrak Cal Z 2 years ago...
Yup. That is what it should be. Although it likely would not clear any serious ice buildup. Such as in a tunnel or snowshed. Ice would either damage the blade, or the plow would just ride up and across the top of any ice. Boxcab E50
I had never seen anything like it before. My first thought that it was some rebuilt caboose. Thanks folks for explaining it to me. Steve
probably a flanger....but in Tracy?????? UP snow MOW is all in Roseville. I also looks similar to the cars that are with the rail grinding units....I'm just guessing here.....but the last time it snowed Tracy....Coolidge was President....
I have lived here in the Tracy/Stockton since 1996, and I know I haven't seen any snow here. This unit had been just freshly painted. Steve
Yep saw that. That is one reason why I took the close up. So how do they operate these engines remotely. Steve
Two things... Someone please xplain what a flanger is? I have never seen one before. Also, caldog, try doing a search for remote loco topics, I know there were several done before with pictures. The long and short of it is...its a regular road or yard engine with extra electronics. Push a button in the cab and you have a little remote that hangs around your neck that you can control the loco with, reverser, throttle, brakes, etc.. That way, the RR doesnt have to commit two persons to a job, one engineer and one conductor, a switchman with a remote loco can do it all. However, thier safety record has been questioned. I personnaly do not like the idea, all it would take is a glitch or some interference and the loco moves and SPLAT. Better to have someone sitting there with thier handles o the throttle and brake IMHO.
Gabriel, I was hoping somebody would ask that question, about what is a flanger. Because I thought I was showing my stupidly or lack of knowledge, to much recently on this board. Regarding the 'remote engine' sign, I figured it was something like that. And I will do that search, because lately I'm seeing a lot more of these 'remote engines when I have seen a group of engines together like this. Thanks for the hint. Steve
Also, MRL uses a remote caboose....caboose has all the electronics in it and hooks to any standard road unit with an MU cable and acts as the lead/controlling unit...Not mods to the loco, so probably much cheaper.
The only dumb question is the one you didn't ask! It's no big deal, asking questions is how you learn!! Remote engines operate with a large model airplane-style radio. Lots of knobs, levers, buttons and such.. The MRL likely saved a ton of money from installing R/C controls on several engines, by using old, retired cabeese. They use them in Laurel, MT. BTW, and likely also in Missoula. The flanger has 2 sets of blades, that fit between the rails, as opposed to the other snowfighting equipment (Jordan spreaders, rotary snowplows, wedge plows) that cleans snow from above the rails, and on the side of the Right-of-way. The twin blades throw snow to the side from between the rails, and are operated up to 35 MPH. The flanger operator needs to be vigilant, thanks to the equipment below the railhead; grade crossings, turnouts, dragging equipment and defect detectors are vulnerable to damage. This is where years of experience is vital. You cannot see a turnout, when it is buried under snow, so you need to know where it is precisely. Pentrex has a DVD you should see if you want to see how flangers work: Donner combo dvd The Battle for Donner Pass is set in SP days, in 1993, when the Espee had to bring out its heaviest artillery--the rotaries! Rotaries, flangers and spreaders all in action, a VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED dvd. I am not sure if both blades cab be operated simultaneously, or not, however, or if all flangers only have one blade... The Espee fans should be able to correct me on this.
Gabriel, Steve- A flanger is a rather simple device. It's much like a diesel engine's pilot plow. With one small difference. The blade on a flanger is notched, so it can be lowered to remove snow packed down between the rails. Usually operated by an air cylinder, to move it up and down. Over the years, they've often been built, using an older car, which is no longer fit for revenue service. A box car, caboose, flat car, and even an old steam engine tender. It's blade hangs down between the trucks. Sometimes additional weight must be added to the car. If not, it can climb up, and off the rails. A flanger can be pushed. But most of those I have ever seen, were pulled. Tucked in behind the engine. Sometimes in conjunction with another device, called a "cut widener." These units are the reason you see "flanger" signs in snow territories. A flanger sign warns crews they must raise their blade at a switch, guard rail, or road crossing, etc. If not, they'll catch, and tear the plow off. Or even derail the car and train. Often they have just one blade. And to make a return trip, must be wyed or turntabled. So, to avoid this extra work, some railroads actually built these with a second blade. Making them bi-directional. These units are not for heavy duty use. Such as ice. They won't work. The blade will rip off, or car derail. Boxcab E50
Here is a picture of a flanger that I took a couple of weeks ago at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Ben
To be honest, I think that fear is primarily one brought up by the people who would lose their jobs in the switching part of the world. Radio/remote control trains operate pretty much like our trains operate, push button operations. Seems to me that it's pretty much as safe as the person running the controls. if more safter controls need to be installed - fine, they will be installed! But eitherway, I very well see the future of train operations to be completely humanless - NO people whatsoever inteh yards. Couplers might not be ready for this - but I can see this happening very very soon - If anything, due to the cost of Insurance and Health Plans to cover the people running around in the yard.
