Maybe this is a trick of the camera but I came across this video on Facebook and it is quite concerning why an employee is in between equipment with what appears to be less than 50' of separation.

I also think it is questionable to perform a blow down when a crew member is in between equipment.

Strasburg and Durango are my 2 favorite railroads - I am not trying to pick on them but if that is less than 50' this is a serious issue.

We all MUST have a safety-first attitude at all times.

link to video - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/tyV4tGTr8V3YTUSJ/

Is it a rule in their book? If not, there's no violation.

Allow me a hypothetical (with apologies to proper english). If a 50' separation must be maintained to allow crew between pieces of equipment how do you propose we connect the air brake lines?, or electrical power?, or steam heat? I would strongly suggest the safety benefit of having a connected & operational braking system far outweighs the inherent risk of a properly trained and communicating crew securing the consist so the hoses can be connected. That cannot be accomplished with 50' between cars.
By the same token, where in your copy of the Strasburg rule book does it show the illustrated actions as specifically prohibited? I would accept correction on that basis only.

Time now to gather the popcorn for the mewling, crawfishing excuses and justifications over a knee-jerk reaction to a "much ado about nothing" innocent video post while the OP chalks up another reaction on the self-gratification scorecard. Yep, you got me. I reacted..............mld

It's 50' for separated cars - when cars are coupled crew can go in between with proper "3-step" protection.

Where? Chapter & verse, child, chapter & verse. I had said:


Thank you for being true to form in conveniently ignoring uncomfortable specifics of pointedly asked questions and then try to justify and obfuscate with partial answers without reference..........mld

This seems a little extreme to me. Fifty feet of separation is not a GCOR rule. I'm not sure about NORAC, so maybe someone can come in for that.

Everywhere I've worked, minimum separation has been dictated by the company. If Strasburg or Durango say you can do it with ten feet, then it's legal.

50’ is the FRA recommendation -

“ Any crew member intending to foul track or equipment must notify the locomotive engineer before such action can take place. The locomotive engineer must then apply locomotive or train brakes, have the reverser centered, and then confirm this action with the individual on the ground. Additionally, any crew member that intends to adjust knuckles/drawbars, or apply or remove EOT device, must insure that the cut of cars to be coupled into is separated by no less than 50 feet.”

50’ was the rule where I worked and I would imagine most railroads follow the FRA recommendation - but I could be wrong.

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For all it is worth - Back in 2011, FRA Published a Safety Advisory regarding going in between equipment. These recommendations were based on multiple incidents at that time. The "50 ft." separation was a part of that recommendation as a guideline, FRA went on to explain that many railroads have procedures similar to those described in the recommendation, and other railroads have adopted or modified their procedures to be utilized when going between rolling equipment to reflect the recommendation. This would include the distance between the equipment based on the environment and operation. For example, A class One Railroads Safety Rule states: "Do not go between uncoupled locomotives or cars when clearance between them is less than 50 feet except when a train on main track or siding is unable to move safely and you have exhausted all practical means of complying with the 50 feet requirement."

American Heritage Railways Safety Rules state "40ft." based on the operating environment and other factors.

These type of rules are Company "Safety Rules" and usually addressed in those documents, which are developed and amended at the discretion of the railroad.

For me, based on my experience, the most important part about these recommendations and associated safety rule is the communication portion. Nobody is going to be out there with a tape measure determining the exact distance between the equipment. Good judgement is used based on the environment, the task at hand and especially the communication the person on the ground has with the engineer. I investigated a fatality on the UP in 1999 when a switch foreman was coupled up between two cars. The 40', 50' or whatever distance was not what got him, it was poor communications with his engineer that did. This incident prompted the development of an early rule mirroring the FRA recommendations, now known as "Red Zone".

Follow the railroads specific rules, but most of all use common sense and good judgment.

MD Ramsey

Yes, I was working for a shortline when that came out - it was delivered to us as a new rule and I actually thought 50’ was the FRA requirement but now I see it is “recommended” and the railroad I worked for just went with that recommendation- which is smart for a number of reasons.

Regarding your point on communication - yes! That’s why I brought up the timing for the blow down. If you just cleared a crew member with 3-step - it seems an odd time to do a blow down - rather than wait for the 3-step to be released. That’s getting a little nit-picky but still something that crossed me as odd.

Words to live by and to remain living by. Thank You Mr. Ramsey..............mld

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I used to to do it. I’m not saying they were always exactly 50’ - but that was the rule and I tried to follow it - a few older engineers were still in the habit of 25’ and I would ask them for more. They’d usually give me 5 more haha. I’d take it - didn’t want to cross them! Lol.

You sure are not lining long drawbars on reefers in a curved siding 50' apart..

We had a manager at my former employer who would stop a move and get his tape measure out to try and charge the person who he perceived as having violated the rule.

So you start a thread about a perceived rule violation then admit you violated it yourself, and try to interject humor into it...