RAILforum: Here are some questions I am trying to get answered

This is topic Here are some questions I am trying to get answered in forum Eastern US at RAILforum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/9/190.html

Posted by RJMamula (Member # 1963) on :

What is the difference between derailing and decoupling?
What is involved in decoupling a train?
Why are the stwitchmen so important?
What is a fireman (on a train)?
What was a train yard like?

Posted by conrailkid (Member # 1898) on :

if you've ever had the pleasure of derailing rail cars (i've had several) you can mistake it from any other sound. metal wheels on the ballast just have a sound all unto themselves. by decoupling- do you mean uncouple? if so, uncoupling just involves operating the cut lever, one at each end of the car or engine (make sure the air is closed on your train). switchman can also be looked at as brakeman, both do alot of the same work. fireman on the railroad used to be for firing steam engines. in diesel days the were akin to engine trainees. i dont think any diesel roads have fireman now. yards, depending on size, provide for switching of cars from inbound trains for locals and other trains. outbound trains originate from a yard to go to other yards and the process repeats itself.

Posted by coach34135 (Member # 1979) on :

What is the difference between derailing and decoupling?
A Derail is when the cars come off the tracks, usually it's an accident. There is also a device they stick on the tracks called a Derail, it's yellow and can fold over the track so trains can go by that spot.
Uncoupling the cars is to seperate the cars from each other.
What is involved in decoupling a train?
You pull the lever attacted to the coupler knuckle and they unhook and voila! railcars unattached.

Why are the stwitchmen so important?
Switchmen are the guys (and gals!) who manually throw switches, uncouple trains, and other fun stuff (which I dunno cause Im no expert), prolly does tons of paperwork too.
What is a fireman (on a train)?
Steam days had a guy who controlled the fire in the firebox, he fed & watered the engine. And also probably did lots of paperwork,

What was a train yard like?
It's big, has lots of tracks that switch into each other. Lots of cars & engines. Sometimes there's a hill where railcars are pushed down to roll on their own and get auomatically sorted into a train, the only thing slowing them down are trackside braking. It's kinda neat to see. Called a Hump Yard; thats just one kind of yard though.

[This message has been edited by coach34135 (edited 10-04-2002).]

Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :

RJMamula,

Since your ID says you are in Hammond, IN, there has got to be lots of rail activity in your area.
Yards are shown on more detailed city maps, and in built up areas you can observe them from city streets or overhead bridges without trespassing.

Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :

Maybe this guy is exactly who he says he is. But the questions asked by "RJ Mamula" have become part of a discussion topic on the Amtrak board.

If you haven't seen it, you might want to take a look. You'll find it at:
http://www.railforum.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000805.html

[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 10-28-2002).]