I swung by the North Fond du Lac CN yard on a lark. I saw two ancient switchers and decided to set up to try and catch them on video. While doing that I got treated to some up close action from some road haulers. It was a great hour. The video is a bit long b/c I just kept recording.
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"Cars just rolling down the track..." This is "flat switching" as opposed to "humping". Cars are sorted the old fashioned way, by hand. The Conductor/Foreman and Brakeman/Switchman line switches manually in advance of the move, signal the Engineer to start shoving and pull the pin as the coupling designated as the end of the "cut" rolls by. The Engineer is given a stop signal and, since the brakes have been bled off on the entire string of cars, the cut of cars rolls down into the yard on the track selected. The free wheeling cut rolls down the yard track until gravity, friction, a hand brake being applied or a standing cut of cars stops it, often with a BANG. The Engineer is instructed to pull back past the switch where the next cut of cars will be placed and the process is repeated, ad infinitum.
As a young CNW Brakeman, I worked several road jobs to "Fon ja Lac" and once was treated to a ride aboard a string of ancient FM "Baby Trainmasters" from the head end to the yard office.
Thanks for the description! You can tell I'm new, but I hope you can also tell I'm fascinated by the work being done at the yard. I have yard in my hometown of Manitowoc, but have never seen them do that type of switching. It was cool to watch, save for that dastardly tall grass!
I drove around to other points on the outside of the yard and was taken with its size. I found the maintenance sheds and was treated to several other road haulers. It was quite a treat.
Looks like you're gonna have to invest in a DRONE! There are some very cool drone videos out there - "Basic Bill" is my favorite:
Enjoyed video and your enthusiasm
One of the nice things about O Gauge is that you don't have sadistic old heads from the days of steam screaming at you and calling you a moron because you don't know a yard that you've never seen before. In my day, "new" Brakeman were referred to by using the other "N" word. Enjoy railroading!
P.S. I visited "Fon ja Lac" via Google Earth and it would appear that both the CNW and Soo Line roundhouses are still there! Kind of amazing considering the modern mindset.
I would love to get a tour of the yard. That would be awesome!
Did you happen to stop in Lakeside Park in Fond du lac and see the #2714 Soo Line Steam engine?
So, call 'em up and ask for a tour, you might be surprised with an invitation. The worst they can do is say, "No." If one says, "Yes", it's almost as good as both since they're side-by-side.
Yardmaster posted:Did you happen to stop in Lakeside Park in Fond du lac and see the #2714 Soo Line Steam engine?
I will absolutley be checking that out next time I'm over there.
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