02-09-2010, 10:11 AM
Ok..Maybe this will help.
1) One scene shows the hobos picking a lock to set a turnout to divert Shack's train as it leaves the yard. Did they really use locks to keep a turnout in one position? Wouldn't ALL the locks on a railroad have to use the SAME key??
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Yes,All switches on the main line is either locked by a switch lock or electronically locked by the dispatcher..However,these switches can be unlockd and throw by hand with proper authority from the dispatcher.One key fits all switch locks.
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2) In the scene where Shack's train ducks off into a siding just BARELY avoiding a collision with the oncoming train ( a classic scene!) HOW did the turnout get set to divert his train off to the right? Also, did the oncoming train just push the turnout back to a straight position? Wouldn't this have caused a derailment or am I confusing the real world with model railroading?
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Actually that's pure Hollywood..Shacks train would have never departed the yard since he had what 15 minutes to get to the junction? Why? He would need a dispatcher permission to leave the yard and their would have been rules governing a inferior train meeting with a superior train as far as time needed to be in the clear..Also the passenger engineer would not simply keep blowing his whistle..He would have slowed down to about 15 mph after hearing 19's whistle.
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3) Another scene shows Lee Marvin ("A#1") being beaten with a chain by Shack. He reaches down and pulls a pin or something and uncouples all the cars behind the car that he was on while the train was still in motion. Was this really possible?
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No..You need slack on the pin to uncouple.
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4) Towards the end of the film, Lee Marvin and "Cigaret" are riding along underneath a car. Shack is attempting to dislodge them using a rope and a heavy metal bar bouncing up and hitting them as they ride. Lee Marvin pushes something with his foot and causes the entire train to come to a screeching halt. What was it? Was this possible?
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I think he supposedly pushed the air retainer valve and drain the air causing the train to go into emergency..However,the train would have not stop that quick because the weight would keep the momentum up and the train would have gradually stopped...If it did stop that fast all 3 men would have been killed or seriously injured from the derailment.
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5) I noticed one of the boxcars on Shack's train was yellow and might have had "Green Bay and Western" lettering on it. Is this correct? Because if it is, then my "Yard Boss" train set has one of those boxcars!
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I believe that was a Burlington reefer.
1) One scene shows the hobos picking a lock to set a turnout to divert Shack's train as it leaves the yard. Did they really use locks to keep a turnout in one position? Wouldn't ALL the locks on a railroad have to use the SAME key??
------------------------
Yes,All switches on the main line is either locked by a switch lock or electronically locked by the dispatcher..However,these switches can be unlockd and throw by hand with proper authority from the dispatcher.One key fits all switch locks.
----------------------
2) In the scene where Shack's train ducks off into a siding just BARELY avoiding a collision with the oncoming train ( a classic scene!) HOW did the turnout get set to divert his train off to the right? Also, did the oncoming train just push the turnout back to a straight position? Wouldn't this have caused a derailment or am I confusing the real world with model railroading?
---------------------
Actually that's pure Hollywood..Shacks train would have never departed the yard since he had what 15 minutes to get to the junction? Why? He would need a dispatcher permission to leave the yard and their would have been rules governing a inferior train meeting with a superior train as far as time needed to be in the clear..Also the passenger engineer would not simply keep blowing his whistle..He would have slowed down to about 15 mph after hearing 19's whistle.
--------------------
3) Another scene shows Lee Marvin ("A#1") being beaten with a chain by Shack. He reaches down and pulls a pin or something and uncouples all the cars behind the car that he was on while the train was still in motion. Was this really possible?
------------------
No..You need slack on the pin to uncouple.
------------------
4) Towards the end of the film, Lee Marvin and "Cigaret" are riding along underneath a car. Shack is attempting to dislodge them using a rope and a heavy metal bar bouncing up and hitting them as they ride. Lee Marvin pushes something with his foot and causes the entire train to come to a screeching halt. What was it? Was this possible?
-----------------
I think he supposedly pushed the air retainer valve and drain the air causing the train to go into emergency..However,the train would have not stop that quick because the weight would keep the momentum up and the train would have gradually stopped...If it did stop that fast all 3 men would have been killed or seriously injured from the derailment.
-----------------
5) I noticed one of the boxcars on Shack's train was yellow and might have had "Green Bay and Western" lettering on it. Is this correct? Because if it is, then my "Yard Boss" train set has one of those boxcars!
---------------
I believe that was a Burlington reefer.
Larry
Engineman
Summerset Ry
Make Safety your first thought, Not your last! Safety First!
Engineman
Summerset Ry
Make Safety your first thought, Not your last! Safety First!