CE 515 Railroad Engineering

1. CE 515 Railroad Engineering Line-haul Operations Source: Armstrong Ch 13 “Transportation exists to conquer space and time -”

2. Line-Haul Operations • “To safely and efficiently conduct its line-haul operations a railroad must coordinate many otherwise independent activities across a rail network.” – Armstrong Ch. 13, pg 221 • What does this mean?

3. Line-Haul Operations • Communication • Operational practices • Safety • Coordination

4. Line-Haul Operations • We’ve already done this, so what?

5. Line-Haul Operations • We’ve already done this, so what? Let’s see just how everything fits together.

6. Line-Haul Operations • We are going on a train trip, on our very own East-West Railroad from chapter 2. • Train: High-priority General Merchandise train H-CHINYC [What does this code mean?] • Where? Chicago to New York ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

7. Line-Haul Operations • Train schedule in database is activated to initiate operation • The following happens: • “Crew Call System” identifies the crew to be called for duty • Locomotives are prepared by Dispatcher & Service Track Foreman. • Yardmaster and mechanical crews ready cars ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

8. Line-Haul Operations • When ready, locomotives are connected to the “head end of the train.” • Air brake system is charged and brake test performed. • When ready and given the highball by Yardmaster and Dispatcher, train departs. ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

9. Line-Haul Operations • On the Steel Highway! • When encounter “yard limits” along the way. • Main track controlled by track warrant or dispatcher authority • Is considered priority in yard limits, but must be prepared to stop within one-half of line of sight unless signal indicates otherwise ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

10. Line-Haul Operations • Most likely encountering CTC communications • Dispatcher has setup schedule so that the “Meets” and “Overtakes” are consistent with our priority level to other trains. • Can have priority change, if we are early, late, or cause early/late actions to other trains. [Even problems with the exceeding of Federal hours of service rules.] ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

11. Line-Haul Operations • As we are a general merchandise, might have to set out or pickup blocks of traffic requiring; • Head end crew movement on ground alongside of train • Additional brake tests, one for each time the train is broken up or added to • May result in delays or needed help from yard mechanical crew. ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

12. Line-Haul Operations • Enter upon ABS control, where; • Must get dispatcher permission to enter the “current of traffic” • Once in, signal indication is first level of communication • IF moving on single train against signals, are moving “against the current of traffic”, a track warrant will dictate the movements and extra care must be exercised ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

13. Line-Haul Operations • If we happen to travel onto un-signalized territory, unlikely, but… • Must operate in blocks on DTC or TWC • Must obtain instructions and permission to travel within each and every block or “authority” • Use of forms to document instructions • Anything done in given “authority” must be documented and viewed carefully! ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

14. Line-Haul Operations • Beware! We might encounter a train defect. • If we encounter an automatic detection on hot bearings, dragging equipment, truck-curving performance, or wheel defects we must; • Result, delays and possible loss of priority! ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

15. Line-Haul Operations • Defects might be communicated from new system • AEI – Automated Equipment Identification, which reads computer chips that store information on cars, trailers, containers, locomotives, etc. • Railroad computers take any AEI notice, cross references to find out what train the offending item is on to report the defect to the crew. ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

16. Line-Haul Operations • We arrived! • Upon arrival, enter into destination yards to receiving yards • Crew or local hostlers will disconnect locomotives for servicing ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

17. Line-Haul Operations • Paperwork • Crew files reports including • If ending at home terminal, drive on home, • Otherwise lodging food and rest until next assignment back home. ABS New York East & West RAILROAD Co. Chicago Pick-up CTC TWC

18. Line-Haul Operations • Review • Train operations to build the train • Communication systems to traverse the route • Train operations for en route changes • Actions for any defects or issues • End all operations with documentation East & West RAILROAD Co.

19. Questions?