Posted by bkpigs on December 20, 2011 at 22:06:53 from (24.182.238.167):
In Reply to: Rail Road Question posted by JDB on December 20, 2011 at 20:12:16:
The flashing device (commonly called a FRED for flashing rear end device) is powered by a DC battery. It is used for multiple things. Some of which include monitoring rear end air pressure, rear of train location and so on. Remember a train's air brakes are not the same as a tractor-trailer in that a decrease in line pressure causes the triple valve to divert air pressure from the car's resevoir to the brake chamber. It is hard to understand the system at first but once you get the idea it is simple. Anyhow, monitoring the air pressure at the end of the train is vital in the use of this braking system. If you drop the air pressure (obviously from the loco) but the FRED doesn't register a drop in pressure, there is a block in the line. In the days before FRED there was an air guage in the caboose. Also the flashing light is to signify the end of the train. AAR rules dictate that from dusk to dawn there must be a lit device to signify the end of the train (when a DPU [distributed power unit] is used, dimmed headlights will suffice). During the daylight hours with good visibility many locals will use a red flag.
Cabooses are still used today for many tasks but many for what is known as a shoving platform. Basically when a train is to make a backing move someone needs to be on the leading end to "protect" it (make sure no obstructions are in the path) and if that move is a long distance the conductor needs a place to ride. They also are sometimes used as buffer cars. Again rules state that there needs to be atleast one car of non-hazardous class between the crew and a hazmat car.
About the continous weld rail, it has been in use for several decades (I am sure someone will come along with the exact date) and has enhanced the rail network greatly. And as a side note; the rails are not in a deteriorating state (some; yes but most is not).
Sorry for the novel, just figured I would throw my 2 pennies out there
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