Bridgeport Helpers: K-BRGBRG2-13A 07.13.21

Описание: K-BRGBRG2-13A is Tuesday afternoon's manned pusher job which is based out of Bridgeport, NE. We start down at MP 2.4 on BNSF's Valley Sub in the Powder River Division in the south central panhandle of Nebraska. All footage was shot with a GoPro Hero 3 in the skeleton frame, so I do apologize for the excessive wind noise. We're close neighbors to Wyoming in this part of the state.

The helpers have just ran down main 2 heading westbound between West Northport and MP 2.4 past the first shove of the afternoon: C-BTMCBC0-39A, which consist of BNSF 8487, 9825, and 5749 bringing up the rear. The helpers cross over from M2 to M1 at MP 2.4, and then switch ends to proceed eastbound from M1 to M1 on a restricting signal indication to couple into the rear of the train. Once coupled, the helper engineer asks the train engineer for sanders to be enabled on the rear remote unit, and informs the train engineer that the ETD should be armed and tested once the helper engineer presses the button on the helper set's ETD. Once armed, the train engineer signals an ETD Rear Emergency application from the lead locomotive, which will place the helper engines in an emergency brake application. While this occurs, the helper engineer inspects the rear locomotive on the train, performing an FRA 203 Daily Inspection, and signing the card on the locomotive if required. The helper engineer will also report fuel readings on the DP locomotives to the train engineer. Once the inspection is complete, the helper engineer climbs back aboard the helper set, recovers the set from its emergency brake application, communicates his inspection findings to the helper engineer, and says that he's ready to go. If the train has signals to proceed, the train engineer reports this to the helper engineer, and the helpers begin shoving on the train while the train engineer releases the brakes and begins pulling. It's off to the races! The wye at Northport is 25mph, but it doesn't take long to accelerate to 25 while they begin ascending up the hill. Once around the corner, it's N8 all the way to the top at Angora.

At Angora, we see the head end of the train proceed through MP 21.1. The train engineer works to maintain the train speed while they crest over the hill, and the helper engineer works on keeping the rear end bunched. Once the helper set is inside the opposing signals at 21.1, and the train speed does not exceed 20mph, the helper engineer can dial a set code into the locomotive radio's DTMF pad. This code will send a signal to the helper link box, which is connected to the locomotive via the MU cable and the Main Reservoir hose. Once the helper link tones back, the helper link will pneumatically lift the locomotive uncoupling lever. Once pulled, the helper engineer can begin to slow down, and the train will roll away from the helpers, allowing them to separate without ever needing to stop. Unfortunately, this helper engineer had waited until the northern end of MP 21.1 to tone up the helper link, which is why it isn't shown in this video. To see a great demonstration of helpers cutting off on the fly, please see this video:    • Crawford Helpers cutting away “on the fly,...  

Once the helpers have cut off of the train, they stop just north of MP 21.1. The train proceeds in towards Alliance, only 20 miles to the north. The helper engineer stops and swaps ends on the power. After switching ends, the helper proceeds back down the hill on signal indication. If another train needs pushed, the helper will return to MP 2.4 to get in position to shove another train up the hill. If not, they tend to run around the wye at Northport and put the helper set away in the yard near the depot in Bridgeport. It's a pretty simple job, and a fun one to work when the opportunity arises!