Re: 3801&3830

[Peter Homann <"peter.homann"@@prr.org.au>]

Brendan wrote:
> 
> I have heard that. However, I have another related question. In NSW
> especially, banking was common practise. How did the rear engine manage to
> push with enough force to lift the train up a hill (and not become more
> weight) and yet balance that against pushing so hard as to derail the
> train - especially with 4 wheelers? Long freights would have been a
> particular problem, as the "feel" of the lead locos would be significantly
> dampened by coupler force and tension, and hand signals would have been
> difficult if not impossible. The brake van could have helped but how do you
> communicate with the front?
> 
> These sort of questions, combined with the knowledge of how much coal a 38
> consumes Sydney/Newcastle, give me a lot of respect for steam era crews!
> 
> Brendan
> 

I don't know about the coal consumption, nor have I any experience of
banking, except with models. They're easy, as the train is generally
short enough you can shout to the front (or rear) driver!

My educated comment on full size banking is that there would be
experienced crews on both/all locos, and road knowledge and the
aforementioned skill in driving. As Eddie said, an art and a skill, but
not a miracle. The key in driving a banking loco would be to be as
gentle as possible, and avoid running in and out. As has been said
before, all crews would be working to move their proportion of the
train. Unless the lead crew(s) had a serious wheelslip or similar, there
wouldn't be any excessive forces on the vehicles. The other thing that
the rear driver would be doing is paying close attention to the brake
gauges: there's no point trying to push a train up the hill if the lead
driver has applied the brakes!

HTH

Pee Aitch

============================
 Peter Homann
============================
The light at the end of the tunnel will be turned off
until economic conditions improve.  Management.