Facing Point Spurs and the Crew

[nkp174]

As for the note on wooden cars...

It would depend on the train and the caboose. Cabooses had trussrods just like other cars to transfer the force from coupler to coupler...so it would probably be fine in the era that the car was designed for...but an 1880's caboose with 2 truss rods would be flattened by a pair of 2-10-2s and a coal drag. Most of the dangers with wooden cars were telescoping accidents...odds are good the crew would set the caboose off rather than push it. Some wooden cabooses served into the 1960s.

Also, the flagman would be riding the caboose...and he would set up to protect the train from getting plowed into by anything else on the main. The engineer would give 5 short wistle blasts to recall him (IIRC).

The flagman was probably the most important member of the train crew...he kept the train from getting rear-ended by an unsuspecting train on the main....which could lead the dreaded telescoping.

[chooch.42]

Larry, didn't Kaydee advertise a variant of this - uncouple/seperate/shove - for their "Delayed - Action" magne-matics? Just have to shove a little harder, and be sure the air is bled out ! Bob C.

[brakie]

Originally Posted by chooch.42

Larry, didn't Kaydee advertise a variant of this - uncouple/seperate/shove - for their "Delayed - Action" magne-matics? Just have to shove a little harder, and be sure the air is bled out ! Bob C.

KD makes two delayed action uncouplers..
#309 is the under the track electric delayed uncoupler while the #321 is the between the rails delayed uncoupler.

Like you said,uncouple,sperate and shove.

Kadee® Quality Products Co. - Sample Prices

[jbaakko]

Originally Posted by Triplex

Some modellers have managed working hump yards and other situations where cars are allowed to roll under gravity, but momentum switching on level track is something we can't duplicate.

I'm contemplating on how to accomplish this on my layout. I think using some sort of stiff bristle brushes, attached to a switch machine for an actuator might work out swell. The brushes being in or out depending on how far the car needs to roll.

[kutler]

It's not that common around here any more.

I asked a conductor once and he replied he felt it required a full crew to perform.

[brakie]

Originally Posted by kutler

It's not that common around here any more.

I asked a conductor once and he replied he felt it required a full crew to perform.

Actually it takes a 2 men on the ground..One to make the uncoupling and the other to throw the switch.

Of course having three man is better..One to make the uncoupling,one to throw the switch and one to ride the car so the hand brake can be applied as needed.

[lester perry]

For what it is worth. This was not an idea it was a practice. it was mid 70s when I was told about what they used to do. I would say 60s at the latest. I don't know if it was a legal move or how safe it was I just know he described it to me and I have told you about it to best of my memory.it was comman practice at this location and time.
Les

[brakie]

Lester,I was first taught how to execute the flying switch when I worked on the PRR..Then when I worked on the C&O under the Chessie banner we would use a flying switch as a last resort switch move..Under the CSX banner it was frown upon.

Here's another type of flying switch..

YouTube - CSX Y111 6-11-07

[60103]

There are 2 operations that we may be talking about here. The video shows kicking cars, which is the simple form; just shove the cars and let go.
There is also what used to be called a "Dutch drop" (back when the dutch were blamed for everything) where the car is pulled, then uncoupled. The loco speeds up past the switch and the points are thrown before the car gets there. The dutch drop was used where there was a facing point switch and the car was on the wrong end. I think it is illegal and is certainly discouraged by the railroads, as a small miscalculation can result in the loose car running into the loco or not heading the right way at the switch.

[brakie]

Originally Posted by 60103

There are 2 operations that we may be talking about here. The video shows kicking cars, which is the simple form; just shove the cars and let go.
There is also what used to be called a "Dutch drop" (back when the dutch were blamed for everything) where the car is pulled, then uncoupled. The loco speeds up past the switch and the points are thrown before the car gets there. The dutch drop was used where there was a facing point switch and the car was on the wrong end. I think it is illegal and is certainly discouraged by the railroads, as a small miscalculation can result in the loose car running into the loco or not heading the right way at the switch.

Actually David,a "Dutch drop" is another term for "flying switch".

Kicking cars is a form of flat switching where you "kick" the cars rather then shove the cars to a coupling..The crew uncouples the car while in motion and lets the car roll to a coupling.
As the video shows a flying switch is not a illegal move.

[slekjr]

Here is a video I took of a 2 man crew doing a flying switch. I mean 2 man as the engineer and conductor only. They make it look easy.
YouTube - FLYING SWITCH
Charlie

[acsoosub]

Originally Posted by brakie

The flying switch is still being used..I seen it done recently.

Short lines also uses the flying switch..

A friend of mine had some video he took of a shortline doing a "flying runaround" - there wasn't a free double ended track they could use, so they parked a car, set the handbrake, uncoupled and put the engine in a spur. Close the switch, guy on the car releases the brake and gravity takes over. Car rolls back past the switch, guy puts the handbrake on again, so the car is now next to the engine. Open the switch, engine pulls out and couples back on to the other end of the car.

EDIT: I didn't see brakie's posted video before posting. Pretty much exactly the same.

[iis612]

Originally Posted by brakie

Kutler,I don't recall ever seeing a train left on the main while we made a simple run around switch move..Another thing most DS and tower operators I knew would frown on a "mere" local crew fouling his "main"*.Also if there was a road/street crossings nearby we would take our train rather then block the crossing.Also why add the extra work when one simple run around move would suffice? Of course today's railroaders seem to do some things differently..Things I know old line conductors would not allow.

* Even today on my scanner I still hear the NS or CSX DS asking a local to clear up in some industry siding if there is enough room..Nothing changes I guess.A lowly local is still a pain in the dispatcher's neck.

Way back when, when I worked for CSX we would leave our train on a single track main for certain industry moves. One of our southbound stops was another major yard, we would still leave most of our train on the main to hold the signal. We would have to get permission from dispatch past a signal to back into the yard at a crossover, but we would foul the main for as long as we needed. You would also need to keep in mind that this was not a busy line.

About the shoving the caboose, I think there is some confusion because in some circumstances, mostly with helper service, the engine would be cut in front of the caboose.

[brakie]

Originally Posted by iis612

Way back when, when I worked for CSX we would leave our train on a single track main for certain industry moves. One of our southbound stops was another major yard, we would still leave most of our train on the main to hold the signal. We would have to get permission from dispatch past a signal to back into the yard at a crossover, but we would foul the main for as long as we needed. You would also need to keep in mind that this was not a busy line.

About the shoving the caboose, I think there is some confusion because in some circumstances, mostly with helper service, the engine would be cut in front of the caboose.

We would spot our train in the passing track then make the run around..Why? Most old line conductors knew we would need to wait on at least one train even if it was 15 miles away before we could make our move!!!

We would shove against the caboose when making a facing point set out.
Also IF the caboose had a steel underframe the the pusher could shove against the caboose.