Eastern Railroad Discussion > Dumb question from a foamer

What is the pole for that the conductor carries into the cab with him upon departure?

Sounds like a "brake stick", which is a tool for applying/releasing freight car handbrakes. This tool allows for a person to stand on the gorund rather than crawl up the side of a freight car to set a handbrake. Allegedly it is deemed safer, but I'll keep my opinion to myself!

Thanks

I thought it was what Shack tried to beat the A number 1 off that gondola!

As stated above, it mainly for the safety of the conductor, not having to mountaineer off the sides of cars and risk injury. On some railroads now, brake stick use is mandatory.

Posted from iPhone

Actually a fairly good question, not a dumb one. Random trivia, a new brake stick will set you back around 340 bucks, before shipping costs.

Posted from Android

I thought it was to keep foamers off the equipment. (Thought someone would put this on already!)

a737flyer Wrote:
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> I thought it was what Shack tried to beat the A
> number 1 off that gondola!

Too bad Trainorders doesn't have a 'Like' button. I would of pressed that in 2.2 seconds. lol


Cass Telles
"Slow-Approach-Slow" - 'Go by way of the B&O'
Railroads of NW Ohio
http://www.trainweb.org/rrnwoh
My photostream on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctelles/

SlwApprSlw Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> a737flyer Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I thought it was what Shack tried to beat the A
> > number 1 off that gondola!
>
> Too bad Trainorders doesn't have a 'Like' button.
> I would of pressed that in 2.2 seconds. lol
>
>
> Cass Telles
> "Slow-Approach-Slow" - 'Go by way of the B&O'
> Railroads of NW Ohio
> http://www.trainweb.org/rrnwoh
> My photostream on Flickr -
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctelles/


I am with this person! Just saying...

As for the original question, I also agree with the user that said about this not being a dumb question. This is a very intelligent question compared to some I have seen on other "railfan" type message boards!

Is TO a railfan or railroader website? Based on what I read here I always assumed it is predominantly railroad personnel mixed with hardcore fans and a few amateur fans like myself.

It makes perfect sense if they use that stick to pry foamers off :-)

$340 for the brake stick? It looks like PVC with some irridescent stripes on it...

Lol, hey the carrier doesnt allow weapons but if i was in a bad area, it'd be my baseball bat equivalent. They are made out of aluminum and some steel, they feel heavy duty. I got to mess with one that was staged in allentown yard, while waiting n track time.

> It makes perfect sense if they use that stick to
> pry foamers off :-)
>$340 for the brake stick? It looks like PVC with
> some irridescent stripes on it...

Posted from Android

I have picked up three of these in the last couple of months while hi-railing. Most do not survive.