What is a "dynamiter"? – Train Sim Forum

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VinceCharter Member · 608 postsJun 4, 2003 1:03 AM

LAST EDITED ON Jun-03-03 AT 09:05 PM (EDT)

At Al Krug's site there is an essay, 'Helper Mishap' that contains this paragraph;
The coal train departed Ranchester and proceeded up the hill to Parkman. There the helper engineer attempted to uncouple from the coal train on the fly using his Helper Link. The first two attempts failed, the pin would not lift. The third attempt apparently succeeded but the helper engineer, riding the trailing helper unit, did not realize it. The coal train, now over the hill, pulled some distance away from the helper locos. It immediately went into emergency, perhaps from a dynamiter when he set the air.My question to the railroad folks is; What is a dynamiter?

Regards,
Vince Cockeram
NEC Track Team
Author of the NECv4 Route
E-Mail me at vcockeram@lvcm.com

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RE: What is a, chucksc, Jun-03-03, 09:09 PM, (1) RE: What is a, CGW409, Jun-03-03, 09:33 PM, (2) RE: What is a, heffed, Jun-03-03, 09:39 PM, (3) RE: What is a, robertlearmont, Jun-04-03, 12:15 PM, (6) RE: What is a, erniep, Jun-04-03, 03:13 PM, (7) RE: What is a "dynamiter"?, Coonskin, Jun-04-03, 11:33 AM, (4) RE: What is a "dynamiter"?, CRSD40, Jun-04-03, 12:01 PM, (5)

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chuckscCharter Member · 3340 postsJun 4, 2003 1:09 AM

RE: What is a

LAST EDITED ON Jun-03-03 AT 09:09 PM (EDT)

Dynamiter or "To Dynamite" is a slang term for Emergency Braking Application or sometimes a Big Hole.... When it goes you know it, especially in the Cab....Chuck Schneider
(Virtual) CEO
North American (Virtual) Locomotive Works What is a "dynamiter"? – image 1

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CGW409Charter Member · 849 postsJun 4, 2003 1:33 AM

RE: What is a

Chuck
If I'm not mistaken isn't a dynamiter considered a defective car that through bad brake parts or a bad or busted air hose sets the train in emergency without any help from the crew?Gary S

"Some say this country's just out for a fight. After 9/11 man I'd have to say thats right"
"Have You Forgotten"
Darryl Worley

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heffedMember since Apr-8-03 · 865 postsJun 4, 2003 1:39 AM

RE: What is a

LAST EDITED ON Jun-03-03 AT 09:40 PM (EDT)

A "Dynamiter" is a hyper-sensitive (due to malfunction) break operating valve that goes into emergency as soon as you make the slightest reduction.-Edit: Oops, CGW was quicker. -Jeff

Union Pacific is my drug.

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robertlearmontMember since Apr-8-03 · 231 postsJun 4, 2003 4:15 PM

RE: What is a

You mean a bad retaining valve?Robert Learmont
Future and Current BNSF Engineer (I'm only 12 years old but drove some real BNSF locomotives and plan to work for a railroad when I grow up.)

What is a "dynamiter"? – image 3

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erniepMember since Apr-6-03 · 34 postsJun 4, 2003 7:13 PM

RE: What is a

Robert, the problem is in the control valve (usually under the car body, except for hoppers.) It controls the functions of normal brake reductions as well as emergency for that car. The retaining valve only controls the amount or speed of air exhausting from the car's brake cylinders. It's used on heavy grades when the engineer has to release his train brakes, but needs some braking power while he recharges his brake system. This way you can keep the brakes set on however many cars you set the retainers on, while releasing the rest of the train. Hope that helps. cheers,
Ernie

It's good to be a snake in the grass...

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CoonskinMember since Aug-1-02 · 2327 postsJun 4, 2003 3:33 PM

RE: What is a "dynamiter"?

That term is probably a bit regional in the way its used.In my region: To "dynamite" means you go into Emergency without any crew member initiating the action. i.e. "We just dynamited!". This is opposed to "Big Hole'n Em" or "Pullin' the Plug", which terms refer to a crew member initiating the action.A "dynamiter" is a car that is prone, for whatever reason, to fail to the point the train goes into Emergency, be it an airhose, bad valve, etc. Andre

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CRSD40Charter Member · 724 postsJun 4, 2003 4:01 PM

RE: What is a "dynamiter"?

Also called a kicker in the east.

-----------------------------
What is a "dynamiter"? – image 8
Kyle Norek, Milepost 76 on the NS Buffalo Line
MSN Messenger: crsd40@hotmail.com

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