Number 90 posted:wb47 posted:Assuming a 70 car train, about how long would it take to set the hand brakes on all of the cars?
If the terrain along the right of way was flat and clear of obstructions, at least three minutes per car. It would take longer if the crew member applying the hand brakes had to contend with:
- deep snow
- bad footing from ice, or uneven terrain
- accumulated ice on the equipment
- ice within the hand brake mechanism of individual cars
- the physical condition of the employee
- any of the cars having stopped inside of a tunnel with a locomotive also in the tunnel
If another employee with a vehicle could have assisted by driving alongside the train with the crew member who was to apply the hand brakes, it would have been faster than walking the entire length of the train. But, apparently, nobody even began this, and that "why" is puzzling.
Something does not add up, so we will have to wait for the investigators to report more findings.
This was a 112 car train. At a rate of 3 minutes per car in good conditions it would take 336 minutes or just over 5 hours to set the hand brakes for the entire train unless the crew had some help. Add another 5 hours to release the hand brakes following the air brake tests, this train would be sitting for 10 plus hours before it could start down the hill. It is interesting to learn how slowly everything moves in real railroading. NH Joe
