Re: Moving across the track from the switchstand

Ron Keagle Wrote:
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> Regarding the rule requiring a trainman to not
> stand by a switch:
>
> That rule pertains to meets where trains are ap-
> proaching the siding switch at high speed. The
> point is to separate the man from the switch so
> he is less likely to suddenly doubt he has the
> switch properly lined, and thus panic and throw
> the switch wrong while mistakenly believing he
> is correcting a switch lined wrong. {Or re-lining
> the switch before all of the cars have passed.}
> It does not pertain to yard switching work.


Years ago when volunteering on the Fillmore & Western, I distinctly remember that this 'opposite side' rule was in the book – which included putting the lock back in place (but not closing the lock?) after throwing the switch, and remember abiding by it to the best of my ability.  I also vaguely remember reading about a derailment on the Silverton Branch when this rule was violated and the rear truck of the last car was switched differently from the rest of the train . . .       This was a long time ago, and I don't remember whether it was in the D&RGW days, during the Bradshaw time, or early in the present era.

- Roosso

p.s. (added 06/20/17) –

Earl Knoob Wrote (at [ngdiscussion.net])
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> I don't remember the year, but it was in the
> early 1990's when the B-3 rolled over . . .
> the rear brakeman on 462 got in a hurry
> to get in the clear unloaded from the switch-
> stand side, opened the lock and lined the
> switch under the B-3. The front truck went
> down the main, the rear went down the siding.
> The result was inevitable.....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2017 12:18PM by Russo Loco.