I watch web cams from Cresson Pa and Chesterton Ind. Every time I see a tank train go by there is a hopper car at the end. I believe this is for safety?? But today while watching the Chesterton web cam a CSX tank train came through with no hopper at the end. Do they just use hopper cars if carrying something. Thanks Paul
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I watch web cams from Cresson Pa and Chesterton Ind. Every time I see a tank train go by there is a hopper car at the end. I believe this is for safety?? But today while watching the Chesterton web cam a CSX tank train came through with no hopper at the end. Do they just use hopper cars if carrying something. Thanks Paul
Buffer cars, usually one between the front end power, and if there is power on the rear another buffer car. If there was a buffer car on the tail-end, most likely the train acquired a pusher somewhere along the route. Same rules may not apply if the train is empty, or the product doesn't require precautions. I would be guessing, other than what I see from time to time. There was a thread not tool long ago that said there are some requirements for these buffer cars other than just a car. Usually see hoppers.
I watch web cams from Cresson Pa and Chesterton Ind. Every time I see a tank train go by there is a hopper car at the end. I believe this is for safety?? But today while watching the Chesterton web cam a CSX tank train came through with no hopper at the end. Do they just use hopper cars if carrying something. Thanks Paul
Buffer cars, usually one between the front end power, and if there is power on the rear another buffer car. If there was a buffer car on the tail-end, most likely the train acquired a pusher somewhere along the route.
Not necessarily. Being a "unit train", most of the oil tank trains usually have a buffer car on each end, thus no switching is involved having to move a single buffer car to the other end of the train. Having a buffer car at each end gives the railroad a true bi-directional train set of tank cars.
Same rules may not apply if the train is empty, or the product doesn't require precautions. I would be guessing, other than what I see from time to time. There was a thread not tool long ago that said there are some requirements for these buffer cars other than just a car. Usually see hoppers.
I seem to recall that the buffers are an FRA requirement.
It is interesting to see the W&LE power arrive along the Montour (bike) trail to pick-up a train from the Westland Marcellus Gas collection spur. Two front end units, Two buffers, and Two remote control pushers. There are two grades to Westland, both significant, one up and one down.
Thanks for the info. It just seemed out of the ordinary after watching the web cams for a while to not see a hopper at the end of train.............Once again thanks,,,,,,,,,,Paul
LOADED unit oil trains, and certain other hazardous materials cars, require all available buffer cars, 5 are required, to be on the head end. If there is only one buffer car available that is OK, the train can still move. If there is a DP or pusher locomotive on the rear, again buffer car(s) must be between the locomotive and the loaded hazardous tank car.
If the pusher or DP unit removed from the rear of a LOADED oil train, all available buffer cars must be moved up to the head end, till at least 5 buffer cars are between the locomotive consist and the hazmat tank cars. In most cases, when the locomotives are removed from the rear, the buffer car is also just removed from the train. That way one buffer car is all that is available on the head end.
On empty oil trains if the DP/pusher is removed from the rear of the train, the buffer car can stay on the rear as no buffer car is required, it is just along for he ride.
Personally I think the FRA rules should allow the buffer car(s) to remain on the rear of loaded oil trains even though there is no power on the rear, even if there are not up to 5 buffer cars on the head end. That way the train could be pushed by a help engine if needed. (And they would not have to find e buffer car when adding a DP unit to train later.)
Dan
From the UP Hazmat book:
"2.
Do not place a placarded car nearer than the sixth car from an engine
(working or not working) or occupied caboose/business car. If the train does
not have at least five buffer cars, the available buffer cars must be placed to
protect the engine (working or not). If there is an occupied caboose/business
car in the train, the buffer cars must be divided equally to protect both the
engine and caboose/business car. At least one buffer car is required."
If you want to be confused, read the book. Glad I don't work in Louisiana or Texas with all the chemicals! Dan
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