Three questions relating to trains

Since I was a small boy, I have always wanted to know the answers to the following:1. Why do they have that notice in all of the train toilets saying "Do not flush while the train is in the station"? I have never ever seen anything on the track let alone the station track period!2. Is it possible for someone to lie flat on the track (between rails of course) and not get injured. The trains are smaller as is the track here in the UK than they are in the USA. The thing that concerns me are the coupling chains/links that seem to hang rather low?3. Has anyone pulled the communication cord (term used in UK) or alarm switch? And if so why?
Mike

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RE: Three questions relating to trains.., ssw_96, Jun-28-04, 05:21 PM, (1) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., erniep, Jun-28-04, 05:25 PM, (2) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., CGW409, Jun-28-04, 05:28 PM, (3) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., Pennsyduplex, Jun-28-04, 06:28 PM, (4) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., heffed, Jun-28-04, 08:54 PM, (9) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., sinclair97, Jun-28-04, 06:50 PM, (5) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., CSX_CW60AC_GregMarck, Jun-28-04, 07:13 PM, (6) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., ASR_Q301, Jun-28-04, 07:23 PM, (7) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., VRfan, Jul-04-04, 06:36 AM, (18) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., sinclair97, Jun-28-04, 07:39 PM, (8) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., FireDragonLightning, Jun-28-04, 09:42 PM, (10) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., CSX_CW60AC_GregMarck, Jun-29-04, 06:17 PM, (11) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., sinclair97, Jun-29-04, 06:48 PM, (12) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., pdaa, Jun-30-04, 11:06 AM, (13) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., sinclair97, Jun-30-04, 05:18 PM, (14) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., amadjuster, Jun-30-04, 10:29 PM, (15) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., trainmaster_1, Jun-30-04, 10:49 PM, (16) RE: Three questions relating to trains.., shoskins, Jul-03-04, 07:31 AM, (17)

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>Since I was a small boy, I have always wanted to know the
>answers to the following:
>
>1. Why do they have that notice in all of the train toilets
>saying "Do not flush while the train is in the
>station"? I have never ever seen anything on the track
>let alone the station track period! Well used to, when someone flushed the $#!tter it would just run down a drainage pipe, and the end of the pipe ran out of the side of the car. Contents then spewed out at a high rate of speed. You get the picture?>2. Is it possible for someone to lie flat on the track
>(between rails of course) and not get injured. The trains
>are smaller as is the track here in the UK than they are in
>the USA. The thing that concerns me are the coupling
>chains/links that seem to hang rather low? Dont know, but I wouldnt try it. But by just looking I would think not. Either the plow would catch your chin or a air hose would thunder you up. DO NOT TRY THIS PEOPLE!!>3. Has anyone pulled the communication cord (term used in
>UK) or alarm switch? And if so why? I think i've heard that a passenger pulled a emergency cord on a Amtrak train out in Cali. Think he got the boot at the next station and got into some trouble over that.p.s. send me an e-mail.

The best railroad there ever was

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Mike#1 The "Do not flush" is pretty obvious when you think that car inspectors maybe below adjusting a piston travel or changing a brake shoe at the time.#2 NO
#3 Yes, and it is very dangerous, to be used only in case of emergency. There have been many instances of trains derailing because of the brakes going into emergency. cheers,
Ernie

Don't take life too seriously, just remember what not to do next time around.

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Mike
1 In less shall we say enlightened times the toilets used to dump right on to the roadbed(and may still in some areas of the world)so that sign was so that there wouldn't be any unpleasant surprises for those waiting to board.
2 theoreticaly I suppose if one was a rather thin indivdual it could be done but I'd say only if your choices are stand there and get hit or try the between the rails trick and in that case pray no chains,strapping or anything else is dragging between the rails.
3 not meGary S

42 year old future curmudgen(Hey you kids get offa my lawn!!)

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This is true in not flushing toilets in stations. I remember when I was on a steam excursion form Scranton PA, to Syracuse pulled by the Milwaukee Road 261 and we were sitting for the Susquehanna steam engine 142 to double head with. While we were waiting people were in and out of the bath room and since this car flushed the stuff out on the tracks there was a terrible smell. Because of that the train had to move a mile or so up the track. Kinda funny though because I was sittin in the car that had that type of toilet.

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I think it is now against the law to have "uncontained" toilets.-Jeff

Union Pacific fan.

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Chad/Ernie/Gary,Thanks for the info regarding 1, but I still want know if anyone has seen "anything" on the tracks of today: in other words is it (the toilet) emptied out at it's final destination.

Five to ten years ago just before and after privatization the situation over here was very bad insofar as one's being able to use them: They were not serviced, no one bothered, and...they became blocked; in fact so much so the "stuff" use to run out under the door and creep inexorably towards me where I was sitting. really, really creepy experience. Sniff, sniff even now if the wind is blowing in the right direction...I have known fare dodgers to hog the toilet throughout the whole journey. Today smokers are the most frequent offenders, which is not nice as there is usually only one toilet on the train. As for 2 I thought as much--won't try that now!About 12 years ago I use to go down to Cornwall in the train with a lot of luggage plus all my sound recording equipment, and camera equipment, and to which must be added a little dog who faithfully sat on top of the largest suitcase while I stowed the rest of the other gear. Anyway it happened I was stowing the gear in the luggage racks when I say "Tiny Tim" slowly disappear into the distance. I hit the button--screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech! "Who did it, who did it?" yelled the conductor.
"I did" replied I.
"Why did you do it said he?"
"Look" I said, pointing at the little dog atop of a suitcase.
"They should be on board" said he.
"Yes" said I.
"Why aren't they on board said he?"
"Because the train started off before I had finished putting my other stuff away" said I.
"I better help you get the rest of the stuff on board" said he.Mike

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No offense, but that story makes no sense.
Greg
HighV0lt6ge - AIM/AOL
gregoryis411@hotmail.com

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Morning Mike...In regards to Question 2. Lying down on the rails would be a no-no! Espically with the Stack cars. Im supprised they dont scrape the tops of rails sometimes they are that low! However, you can put a Video camera inbetween the rails (Providing you get piority from the proper authorities). I have seen that done on some Steam Fan DVD's here in Australia.>Mike Forster<
Perth, Western Australiapacificnational_nr103@hotmail.com
http://www.trainweb.org/aussiepix

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LAST EDITED ON Jul-04-04 AT 06:37 AM (EST)

>Morning Mike...
>
>In regards to Question 2. Lying down on the rails would be
>a no-no! Espically with the Stack cars. Im supprised
>they dont scrape the tops of rails sometimes they are that
>low! However, you can put a Video camera inbetween the
>rails (Providing you get piority from the proper
>authorities). I have seen that done on some Steam Fan
>DVD's here in Australia.
>Lol, you would have to be an idiot to stick your video camera between the rails. I remember seeing a shot from a video camera that got collected by a screw coupling hanging down. (and no it wasn't my camera, it was on a TV show)--Victorian Railfan Web Site:
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/Australian Bulldogs for MSTS! B, S, GM & 42's now available!

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Greg,I assume you are referring to my last account; if so, I was quoting verbatim the pointless verbal exchange between the conductor and myself. The moral here is that I received no help from anyone as I struggled to load my luggage onto the train. there were, however, some helpful passengers, who were anxious for the train to start as soon as possible, who kept closing the one remaining open door of the train until I fixed em with a "stare" that said No!Some helpful tips for those who are travelling by train with a great deal of luggage and a little dog:1. Always make sure that your pet is the last to board the train, and always the first to leave it.2. By putting the largest suitcase against the open door usually deters people long enough for you to put the rest of the luggage away. 3. In extreme cases run onto the track and flag the driver down, but this can be dangerous if he doesn't see you.Mike

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I heard a story on one of the rail lines in Northern Ontario that a drunken man, having just had a birthday party in his honour, 'blacked out' or fell asleep on the tracks. Apparently a train went right over him, and he was un harmed..Now, I cannot vouch for the validility of this story, just heard is somewhere, maybe someone else can clarify it..

Jay
http://www.s95019297.onlinehome.us/

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Mike,Hope you understand that that was not a personal attack at you, just me being me and blurting something out.Greg
HighV0lt6ge - AIM/AOL
gregoryis411@hotmail.com

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Hi Greg,I didn't take it as such. I wasn't sure which section you were referring to, but I hope I made my account a little clearer.Mike

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Q1 - The UK MK1, Mk2 & Mk3 coaches (except sleepers) and derived EMU/DMUs all dump directly to the track, I'm not sure about Mk4. You can see the pipe by the bogies. (Also why track workers normally turn away as a train goes past).Q2 - Theres 37mm of space between the AWS/TPWS pick up and the height of the rails at the running edge. This assumes that nothing is hanging from the train. I've seen AWS magnets (the yellow boxes between the track in the UK) smashed to pieces by hanging equipment, and these are cast steel, I wouldn't rate your chances. I also am sometimes as close as 4 feet from trains going past at 100MPH, and the wake can be quite alarming, I wouldn't fancy being only 2.5 inches away. (I work on the railway and am specially trained to be there and have to undergo recertification every two years).Q3 - Yes I've done it several times, but only in the course of my duties. Not recomended unless you've got deep, full pockets. Once when a window blew in in a passenger unit (after it had stopped at the next station), and a couple of times when shunting and the driver lost sight of me and failed to slow down, before radios became the norm (late 70s - early 80s). It made an emergency application, the same as full service. I wouldn't like to do this at a great speed, but in the UK on modern stock it introduces a more powerfull brake application than full service. I've been on a few trains which have gone into emergency, normally just after TPWS was fitted!Although I've answered these questions, heed this advice:- In the UK the fence is there for your safety, go the wrong side of it without knowing what youre doing and if you're lucky you'll live. I've seen too many deaths which have been recorded as misadventure on the railway.Paul

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LAST EDITED ON Jun-30-04 AT 05:19 PM (EST)

Hi Paul,
That's very interesting. I would be happy to hear more info from you on any topic regarding British railways. For instance: have you heard of anyone's foot being caught when a signalman pulls the lever which in turn operates a sliding piece of track?You talked me out of going onto the track--seriously though, our rail network is systematically being vandalized which puts passengers' lives at risk.Mike

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Reason #1"The night was dark - The clock struck two
Into the station the Scotsman flew.
He set the brake - a flush was heard
a man was struck by a flying t--d!"It is also a possibility that the reason this was never a problem over water is that the food on trains contributed to a higher number of sinkers as opposed to floaters.I'm flushed!

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>"The night was dark - The clock struck two
>Into the station the Scotsman flew.
>He set the brake - a flush was heard
>a man was struck by a flying t--d!"ROFLMAO ! Mike
Future CPR Locomotive Engineer

Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - Built For Drivers

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LAST EDITED ON Jul-03-04 AT 07:31 AM (EST)

>Reason #1
>
>"The night was dark - The clock struck two
>Into the station the Scotsman flew.
>He set the brake - a flush was heard
>a man was struck by a flying t--d!" Reminds me of what a former neighbor back on Long Island told me. He was a foreman for the LIRR's electrical department. He and crew were under a high-level platform doing some wiring, and a train was passing. All of a sudden, a huge turd came rolling out from the pipe on the train. he said he never saw his crew move so fast!
>It is also a possibility that the reason this was never a
>problem over water is that the food on trains contributed to
>a higher number of sinkers as opposed to floaters. According to some grafitti notied in a restroom ages ago, if your stuff floats, there's too much fat in your diet. (Or maybe it was the other way around...)

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