Brakie! Anyone else! The Caboose!?

[Gary S.]

The BNSF Mykawa yard is a small yard/division point down here in Houston. It gets traffic from the petro refineries down south, and also feeds an industrial park that has an intermodal facility, automobile receiving, a pipe yard, potato packer, a couple of plastic molding factories, and a couple of other facilities I am not sure of.

My question is, I often see a caboose being used while they are picking/spotting in the industrial park. Can you explain exactly what they do with the caboose and why they use it?

I know this is a basic question that I should know, but I don't!ops: So, any insight would be appreciated. I am assuming that the guys ride the caboose so they can throw switches when backing up? But then what do they do with the caboose to get it out of the way to spot the cars? Park it in another spur until the switching is done?

And how about a lesson on what a "brakeman" or "conductor" does?

I've got several Kalmback publications that describe mrr operations, but no commentary on this.

Some links or helpful book titles would be welcomed. Thanks!

 

[railohio]

The modern caboose is more correctly called a "shoving platform" by modern railroaders. It's used by crew members riding to protect a shove on long move or on moves that cross many roads at grade. Many have all their doors welded shut and windows plated over.

Modern road crews have two members, engineer and brakeman. The engineer runs the engine and the conductor does everything else, basically. Yard and local crews will often have a third member, usually called a brakeman, that will assist the conductor with ground work as needed.

 

[brakie]

Most trains operate with a 2 man crew a engineer and conductor.However,some locals use a 3 man crew..A Conductor,Brakeman and Engineer.Also I will mention some road freights with en-route switching may have a brakeman as well.Some terminal switching roads operate with 3 man crews.Short lines may add a extra man if the switching is heavy.
As far as caboose Rail Ohio has covered that..

 

[MasonJar]

Modern road crews have two members, engineer and brakeman. The engineer runs the engine and the conductor does everything else, basically.

And there are three kinds of people in the world - those who can count, and those who can't...! sign1

Sorry - couldn't resist...! hamr

Andrew

 

[bigsteel]

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And there are three kinds of people in the world - those who can count, and those who can't...!

Sorry - couldn't resist...! hamr

and it also goes to show that some people never grow up!! sign1 --josh

 

[railohio]

Heh. Counting? That's why I'm an English major. (And before anybody mentions that I didn't proof my own post I might add that's what editors are for...)

 

[doctorwayne]

Modern road crews have two members, engineer and brakeman. The engineer runs the engine and the conductor does everything else, basically. Yard and local crews will often have a third member, usually called a brakeman, that will assist the conductor with ground work as needed.

If you need to edit your post, it's up to you to use the "EDIT" button.:roll: :mrgreen: While the Moderators all have the capability to edit any post, we generally refrain from such heavy-handed tactics. :| Much more entertaining this way, too!:lol: :lol:

And there are three kinds of people in the world - those who can count, and those who can't...! sign1
Sorry - couldn't resist...! hamr

Andrew

Don't mind Andrew. All of us Mods are kept in a dimly-lit basement, and occasionally, one of us will snap. :twisted:

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and it also goes to show that some people never grow up!! sign1 --josh

Heck! That applies to just about all of us, I mean, geez, we're all playin' with trains. I've got no time for a second childhood; I'm still workin' on the first one. :-D :-D

Wayne