Saw a photograph today of a crew member in an NS Yard.
The guy was tending to a remote control-operated locomotive and string of cars.
He had a long pole in his hand, something that looked like a long fishing rod.
The question is . . . . would that be a pole used to dis-connect cars (hoses, etc.) as the train is moving?
Just curious! TIA
Could it be a brake stick? Used to knock off brakes and set retainers
Yeah, probably a brake stick. It has a T shaped metal end on it that hooks around the brake wheel so the operator doesn't have to get in between the cars.
Quote from: troy12n on September 24, 2011, 11:12:42 AM
Most likely a brake stick. CSX has rules which forbid climbing on cars to set brakes, you have to use a brake stick now. NS may have similar rules.
Wow, really? You can't climb cars to set brakes on CSX? And I thought NS had some strict rules. We are still allowed to climb cars to set brakes. We are also still allowed to ride tank cars (which I was told CSX doesn't allow).