Current rules say you need to be 15 or more feet from a switch when there is a train or engine movement?

Question

Anyone know of instances when somebody became confused and re lined it under a moving car? Still, I would keep away to be clear of trailing debris or just to be safe. It seems like if you lined a switch and locked it, you are not likely to get confused and do something regrettable.

Answer 1

All railroad rules are written in blood.

There are many instances where the man on the ground got confused and threw the switch.

When preparing for a movement, the switch may be unlocked, and the switchman waiting for the movement.

The engineer of the approaching train, cannot stop quickly.  By the man on the ground being on the other side of the track, or 15 feet away, he is assured the switch cannot be relined.

Even if locked, the switch can be unlocked and relined quickly.

If the approaching engineer sees the switchman move to reline the switch, she has warning and can "big hole" the train to minimize the damage.

Read recent posts about hours of service.  People out there are sometimes worked to the end of human endurance.  Foggy thinking has led many honest persons into accidents.

Answer 2

Hopper is exactly right.

I did it myself as a new hire brakeman, many moons ago.  Fortunately for me, it was a trailing movement and no harm was done, although if I had not been clear of the arc of the switch handle I could have been seriously injured.

The rule used to read that an employee making a rolling inspection of another train would have to be on the opposite side of the movement when practical, so as to be further removed from the switch.

Locking the switch each time is rather impractical, and many switches are equipped with merely a "keeper," and only see a lock when locked up by maintenance of way, car department or FRA inspectors.

The hours of service needs a complete overhaul.  Unfortunately, it will take nothing less than a wide spread grass roots petition drive to get the brain trust in DC to modify the antiquated work rules that now govern.  Of course this won't happen until the general public is informed and dictates a change.

Unless I miss my guess, Mr. Hopper, as well as each and every one of us, has said at one time or another, "Man, if the public only knew what kind of BS goes on out here they would be scared sh**less."

Answer 3

30 ft for CSX..

Answer 4

I'm not sure if we have a written rule saying you must be a certain distance back, but it's a good idea to say at least 20 feet back.  Believe it or not, it's very easy to pull out your switch lists, look at the next move or the one after that, and start getting ahead of yourself.

It happens to the best of us; 95% of the time, you inconvenience yourself (throwing a switch, then having to throw it back for the immediate move), but there's the odd incident where you've got yourself into a jackpot (throwing a switch under a movement).

It's also a good idea to stay back because of any number of hazards from cars rolling by.  Remember, in a yard, the crew members are often the only form of inspection - there's no forewarning to shifted loads, dragging equipment, loose banding, etc.

Answer 5

Speaking from experience..........I've done it.  BNSF actually has imposed 20 feet from the switch.  When I first hired out....about 3 days on the job.....I had the enginner drop me off at a switch that we were going to line after we got all by it.  He actually pulled up on the switch to drop me off so I wouldn't line it before he got all over it.  I had a brain f**t and pushed the button to line it.."it was an automatic solar switch"......it was a facing point switch and right between the front and rear axles of the engines......I quickly realized what I did and told him to stop after he moved about 10 feet. .......had he went on.......the rear axles would have went through the switch and undoubtedly dropped on the tracks.  That's why I tell the new hires......"ask questions if you don't understand......don't wing it."  Our yard doesn't have any locks on the switches........so it's real easy to line one in a hurry.