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Post by q8 on Dec 14, 2005 17:33:51 GMT
Now you are train crew and you are asked by the boss to go down the yard and do a couple up. When you get there you find a 2 car unit with a cab one end only and a 4 car unit with a cab both ends.
How would you proceed in coupling the two units together remembering that you only need move one of them to do so?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2005 18:03:39 GMT
Which way is the 2-car unit facing?
If the UNDM is facing one of the DMs on the 4-car then all you have to do is move the 4-car into coupling distance and then get busy. If the UNDM is facing away from the 4-car then you'll need to shunt the 2-car around the 4-car.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2005 20:45:57 GMT
Use a turntable or reversing loop?
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towerman
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Post by towerman on Dec 14, 2005 22:24:28 GMT
If the cab on the 2 car is in the "middle" shunt the 4 car to an empty road then bring the 2 car up behind it and couple.
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Post by q8 on Dec 14, 2005 23:52:05 GMT
No you have all got the wrong end of the stick here [TOK is close]. Both units are on the same road facing the correct way. But WHICH one do you move to do the coupling from. They are about 50ft apart.
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Dec 15, 2005 10:07:41 GMT
Now, logically (always dangerous I know) you would move the 2-car onto the 4. That way you would not have to open up what will become the centre cab of the train.
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Dec 15, 2005 11:00:02 GMT
Assuming the two car has a driving position at the end to be coupled, i'd use that. If not, then it'd have to be the four car.
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Post by q8 on Dec 15, 2005 11:51:25 GMT
Well you have all had a go and none of you are quite right. The rules used to be that you ALWAYS took the unit with the cab or greater control to the other unit and coupled. This applied at all locations except on a gradient.
Why were the rules different for gradients?
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Dec 15, 2005 13:15:40 GMT
Why were the rules different for gradients? Would this be because when coupling older stocks, a bit of a nudge was needed, and 4 cars of brake is better than 2 on an unmanned train? (BTW - that was my thinking with the previous question also).
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Post by q8 on Dec 15, 2005 15:52:39 GMT
Colin has *thunk* correctly. On a four car unit there should be two handbrakes and if the stabling crew have done their job properly they should both be applied. On the two car there is only one and if not applied the air brake leaks off and it goes 'tattars' and will roll down onto the 4 car. Now that is all well-and-good if it is the 2 car unit higher up the slope isn't it. But if they are stabled rear-about-face with the 4 car at the top then not only should it be secured with all handbrakes but scotch blocks should be put against the lowest pair or wheels as well. We were taught you ALWAYS take the unit that was higher up the hill to the lower one. I am not quite sure as to the reasong behind that.
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