Re: Kicking Cars @ SP’s Desert Yard 1990
Author: Margaret (SP fan)
Date: 04-26-2018 - 15:40
Margaret (SP fan) Wrote:
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>
> I really enjoyed the great skill of the engineer
> in that SW1500, who shoved those cars at just the
> right speed to make perfect joints, every time. I
> could hear that he made the joints.
The engineer responds to hand, lantern or radio signals from the switchmen.
OPRRMS --
Although the switch crew does "tell" the engineer to speed up or slow down by the signals they give to the engineer, he still has to be able to figure out the exact right speed to run the engine at, and know the peculiarities of each engine -- and know how the car(s) he is shoving will act -- in order to be able to get the car(s) to roll at that perfect speed to make good, solid joints the first time. That still amazes and impresses me. As does the sill of the switch crew.