Torpedoes

Not the submarine kind, but apparently are quite similar. Taken form the Canadian Rail Operating Rules:10. TORPEDOES
(a) The explosion of one or more torpedoes, in the absence of a more restrictive signal, indicates proceed at reduced speed. If moving at other than reduced speed, a train or engine must immediately reduce to that speed. Reduced speed must be observed to a point 3000 yards beyond the location at which torpedoes were exploded.
(b) Where the use of torpedoes is required, a duplicate torpedo must be placed on the opposite rail to explode simultaneously.
(c) Torpedoes exploded by other than a train or engine must be replaced immediately.
(d) Torpedoes must not be placed near station facilities or on public crossings at grade.
EXCEPTION: On a subdivision where flagging distance is decreased by both Rules 48 and 99.1, the distance of at least 3000 yards required by this rule is decreased to at least 2000 yards.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTION
(1) During periods of inclement weather orwhen rails may be snow packed or ice-encrusted, before placing each torpedo, the rail must be cleared of ice or snow where torpedo or clips will touch the top or side of rail:
(i) at the point where torpedo is to be placed, and
(ii) at least one foot beyond each end of torpedo.
Anyone have pics? How often are they used? How do they work?

I wanna highball it through Woodstock, Ont. on none other than...THE TURBOTRAIN!!!

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RE: TORPEDOES, dispatcher618, Feb-27-03, 08:40 PM, (1) RE: TORPEDOES, shoskins, Feb-27-03, 09:28 PM, (2) RE%3A TORPEDOES, CBF, Feb-27-03, 09:39 PM, (3) RE: TORPEDOES, andrewpickell, Feb-27-03, 09:55 PM, (4) RE: TORPEDOES, ssw, Feb-28-03, 09:03 AM, (5) RE: TORPEDOES, Aussie Cow, Feb-28-03, 10:33 AM, (6) RE: TORPEDOES, ge44tonner, Feb-28-03, 06:11 PM, (7) RE: TORPEDOES, GMOF3A, Feb-28-03, 06:51 PM, (8) RE: TORPEDOES, Aussie Cow, Feb-28-03, 07:44 PM, (9) RE: TORPEDOES, John 136 6000 GO, Mar-01-03, 00:58 AM, (10) RE: TORPEDOES, Aussie Cow, Mar-01-03, 01:16 AM, (11) RE: TORPEDOES, Gazza, Mar-01-03, 06:26 AM, (12) RE: TORPEDOES, dispatcher618, Mar-02-03, 01:23 AM, (13) RE: TORPEDOES, Poltergeist, Mar-02-03, 01:25 AM, (14) RE: TORPEDOES, imprezzed, Mar-02-03, 08:52 AM, (15) RE: TORPEDOES, John_Netzlof, Mar-02-03, 03:03 PM, (16) RE: TORPEDOES, imprezzed, Mar-02-03, 07:50 PM, (17)

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The ones I've seen are little plastic(?) pouches of gunpowder (or whatever they use in them) with metal tabs extending from both ends. You put it on the rail, and then bend the metal tabs around the railhead to keep it in place. The wheel hitting the torpedo causes the explosion. It's probably a lot similar to those little "snapper" fire works that you throw at your little brothers feet, just on a much bigger scale. I've never heard or seen one go off, but I hear they can really make some noise. They're prohibited on our railroad because of the potential damage it does to the property and crew members. Besides, we don't travel fast enough to need them...... yet.
- dispatcher618

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>The ones I've seen are little plastic(?) pouches of
>gunpowder (or whatever they use in them) with metal tabs
>extending from both ends. You put it on the rail, and then
>bend the metal tabs around the railhead to keep it in place.
>The wheel hitting the torpedo causes the explosion. It's
>probably a lot similar to those little "snapper" fire works
>that you throw at your little brothers feet, just on a much
>bigger scale. MUCH bigger....more like a cannon going off. They are loud enough to make an engineer in a loco running full throttle at 70 MPH crap his pants.
>I've never heard or seen one go off, but I hear they can
>really make some noise. You betcha!!! >They're prohibited on our railroad because of the potential
>damage it does to the property and crew members. Besides, we
>don't travel fast enough to need them... You don't wanna stand around like some doofus (me) did the first time I found one. It was at the Tehachapi Loop, put it under the middle of a stopped train in the middle of the night. Train started creeping down the Loop towards Bakersfield, and, well, it got enough adrenaline flowing in my body that I never slept that night. I was too busy listening to the ringing in my ears. And the echo through the hills.....oh boy!! I also know of a wise-acre train crewman who put one on a coupler knuckle....another crewman who put one right under a caboose when a train crew (not his crew...) was stopped. I also had a next-door neighbor who worked for the SP, brought two boxes of them (144 to a box!!) and put them all out for ONE UP train that ran next to our residences. Talk about sounding like a war zone....the UP crew figured it out from what they said on the scanner.And then I heard a story of a track worker who thought he'd try to set one off using a spike mallet. He did NOT live to tell about it.They are dangerous items....do NOT play with them. (I speak with experience.)

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Hi; I remember hearing them in the late 40s and early 50s, in use be the them CNR. Even though I lived 3 blocks away, it still sounded like a shotgun blast. They were indeed very loud and effective. With more modern signalling devices and radio contact, they are not longer needed. Cheers; Chuck.

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Hi KellyCorrect me if I'm wrong, but I'm assumimg that your questions is of a historical nature. The reference to Rule 10 Torpedoes has been removed from the current CROR, (1 Mar 02). I beleive the use of torpedos in Canada is now prohibited due to safety concerns, and the advent of more efficient means of communications, such as radio I've recently covered the Signals - General section in class. - Andrew

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Torpedoes are little packets of metal about an inch and a quarter square, and about a half-inch thick. they have metal straps that wrap the rail head. AS stated, they make a really loud BOOM when you run over them

Bradley Linda
Waco, Texas

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Sounds to me like you're talking about detonaters. Pretty small, and make a loud BOOM! Here in Australia they were used when a train stopped mid-section and there was a lack of signalling to indicate to the driver of the next train to stop. They're now out of use due to the fact that we have one of the best (worst) radio systems in the world. HOWEVER, they're still used from time to time to celebrate rail related events. I believe they were used in the Dapto - Kiama electrification project opening. Which was I think late 2001.
We also have the story of some careless idiot trying to set off one by hand and not living to tell the story.NEVER PLAY WITH THEM! If you happen to find one on the tracks you best get onto train control and inform them right away because chances are some kid/s have placed a similar device to that of a detonater on the tracks to scare the crap out of the next driver to come along.
Loved the UP and SP story, would've loved to have been there!!!Projects
- 421 class Public Transport Commission of New South Wales diesel electircs:
No. 1 end - 13% (Nose is starting to take shape)
Huge rebuild of original parts going on at the moment (i.e. pilots, bogies and other things)
Overall - 23.5%
- 422 class New South Wales Government Railways diesel electircs:
On the drawing boards for a project after the 421's.
Overall - Not officialAs I sit here chewing on my MSTS CD, I wonder why did God make MS?

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I recall an incident with torpedos some twenty years ago. A BN switch locomotive was held for more than an hour in a siding before being allowed to re-enter the main and go back to the yard. The crew was apparently bored stiff, and allowed some of the neighboorhod kids to visit up in the cab. One of the kids spotted a box marked 'torpedos' mounted on the wall and asked about them. One thing led to another, one of the crewmen decided to demonstrate their use. He placed about ten torpodes on each rail ahead of the locomotive. The kids were warned to stand well back away from the track but to watch the fireworks. When the engine finally departed, there was a barrage of what sounded like shotgun blasts and a cloud of powder smoke. Somebody in the neighborhood called the police to report hearing gunfire. After that, the BN issued some local rules restricting the use of torpedoes to emergency situations only. A few years later, the use of torpedoes was discontinued entirely.
Dan

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We were required to use them in the signal department to protect our asigned block we were in with our little motor cars..then track warrents became the norm...but yes..3 each 100 feet apart same side of the rail ..I forget the rest...but they were LOUD when they went off!

Paul...
www.mstsgmo.com

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3 each 100 feet apart same side of the railGod that brings back some memories... I'll see what I can find out about the use in Australia. I live out of the era of the railway goodtimes but my father worked for the railways several times so I'll just ask him.Projects
- 421 class Public Transport Commission of New South Wales diesel electircs:
No. 1 end - 13% (Nose is starting to take shape)
Huge rebuild of original parts going on at the moment (i.e. pilots, bogies and other things)
Overall - 23.5%
- 422 class New South Wales Government Railways diesel electircs:
On the drawing boards for a project after the 421's.
Overall - Not officialAs I sit here chewing on my MSTS CD, I wonder why did God make MS?

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They were called detonators in England, also. Used to be used in foggy weather at signals set at danger. The signal man or one of his aids (if the signal box was big enough to have more than one signal man) placed them on the track when needed. In some locations they could be positioned mechanically, by a similar rod linkage to that used to operate the signals. All this, of course in the days of mechanicaly operated semaphore signals.I believe they were also carried on trains for emergency use.CheersJohn (now in Canada)

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Yep, we get a lot of our railway culture from England, however a lot of our locos are from America, and some of our wagons, yep, you guessed it, Made in China!!!Projects
- 421 class Public Transport Commission of New South Wales diesel electircs:
No. 1 end - 13% (Nose is starting to take shape)
Huge rebuild of original parts going on at the moment (i.e. pilots, bogies and other things)
Overall - 23.5%
- 422 class New South Wales Government Railways diesel electircs:
On the drawing boards for a project after the 421's.
Overall - Not officialAs I sit here chewing on my MSTS CD, I wonder why did God make MS?

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I was in the front carriage of a a U-Boat (single deck interurban in Sydney) at Pennant Hills once when we went over some detonators. Sitting right above the front bogie with the window open, I was almost deafened!!!!!Friends of mine used to steal them from the trains at Mortdale car sheds all the time, and set them off down the river. It's a wonder none of them ever blew themselves up.Gazza

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... I'd hate to hit one with a motorcar. I don't doubt it would blow it clean off the tracks. - dispatcher618

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>... I'd hate to hit one with a motorcar. I don't doubt it
>would blow it clean off the tracks.
>
>- dispatcher618 But you gotta admit, that'll be pretty damn intresting to see! lol



I know I've made a couple of Mistake(s), but I'm only human, at least I'm man enough to face them today! ~Eminem

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Thaks everyone for the info!

I wanna highball it through Woodstock, Ont. on none other than...THE TURBOTRAIN!!!

Attachments

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/3e620cb14a9ab625.jpg

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nice picture there, Via's LRC i assume?


Buffalo & Pittsburgh local frieght. from DuBois, PA, to Hutchins, PA.

Genesee & Wyoming all the way!
John's Loco Works

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Yes, it is.

I wanna highball it through Woodstock, Ont. on none other than...THE TURBOTRAIN!!!

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