Western Railroad Discussion > What is a "meet"

Is a "meet" when two opposite direction trains, on separate tracks, pass each other, or when one consist slips into a siding while another moves by?

well, if they actually hit each other, and it's way out on the line, it was referred to as a 'cornfield meet'... :)

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

I'm guessing the term is supposed to only
refer to single track meets. But if so,
what would be the term for two trains
"meeting" on double track? There isn't
a good one.

timz2 Wrote:
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> I'm guessing the term is supposed to only
> refer to single track meets. But if so,
> what would be the term for two trains
> "meeting" on double track? There isn't
> a good one.

The term "meet" seems to refer to both, but originally was for single track meets. Also the term "meet" along refers to trains trains travelling in opposite directions. When one train passes another in the same direction as is/was common for freights and passengers, it is called an "overtake".

I don't find a formal definition of "meet" in any of my rule books, but it means just what it says, a meet between two trains traveling in opposite directions. Hopefully the two trains are not on the same track, but see "cornfield meet" above if they are on the same track (still a meet...). It is a "pass" if a faster train passes another train traveling in the same direction.

Barry Draper

"Meet" is probably one of the most used words in train orders.

BNSF6400 Wrote:
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> When one train
> passes another in the same direction as is/was
> common for freights and passengers, it is called
> an "overtake".


Depends on geographical area an/or carrier. West Coast roads normally call this move "Run around".

V

SLOCONDR

SLOCONDR Wrote:
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> BNSF6400 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > When one train
> > passes another in the same direction as is/was
> > common for freights and passengers, it is
> called
> > an "overtake".
>
>
> Depends on geographical area an/or carrier. West
> Coast roads normally call this move "Run around".


In train order operation, it's called pass (train order form B in the Standard Code).

TAW

timz2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm guessing the term is supposed to only
> refer to single track meets. But if so,
> what would be the term for two trains
> "meeting" on double track? There isn't
> a good one.

Meet

In Olden Tymes, we would refer to trains finding each other on a double track portion of a combination single-double territory as a a double track meet. However, in train order operation, trains cannot meet on double track on a meet order (Standard Code form S-A). A right of track would be needed (Extra 1 west has right over extra 2 east Somewherestation to begindoubletrackstation).

TAW

Two trains (one east, one west) stop while a third (west) takes the crossovers in West Darling, Arizona. The BNSF Dispatcher is re-arranging westbound traffic while the eastbound holds for a clear track. Camera looking west.
9:20am, October 25, 2011
TOM

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What a GREAT shot. And thank you everyone for the replies on a "meet."

CO097 Wrote:
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> What a GREAT shot.
And what a good illustration of an intermodel taking priority over two carload freights.