04-02-2017, 07:14 PM
lajry Wrote:It's the conductor's job to check the train's consist to make sure there are no hazmat, inflammable or loads that might shift. If any are found then other cars are put between them & locomotives or cabooses/shoving platforms). Buffer cars are usually only used on ethanol or flammable crude oil unit trains trains.
Dedicated "buffer cars" are only used on unit trains carrying hazmat because otherwise they would have to keeping looking for buffer cars. ALL trains are required to comply with hazardous material placement rules, they have buffer cars but they aren't dedicated cars, just cars in the train that can be used for cover..