Eastern Railroad Discussion > Help me understand scanner chat near Irondale Yard

I’m a new Railfan. At Irondale first time. Here and at other yards on my scanner I often hear a line of chat that starts with a 3 or 4 digit number, then some jargon I can’t understand, and it always seems to end with something like “…” protection off” or maybe “…on”. What does it mean?

I just heard one line that distinctly said “…parking brake off” or …out”

Posted from iPhone

What you're likely hearing is a remote control unit talking. Some are equipped with an automatic parking brake that will apply the handbrake remotely through the rco control box. When it is activated it will produce a talker message that you hear on the radio.

The "protection on/off is pullback protection. There are pucks placed on the track that the rco unit will pick up and automatically slow the engine based on how far down the track it is. This needs to be overriden by the operator if they are just going down the track to go somewhere i.e. going around a track to get behind it to hump.
Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/24 09:10 by OHRY.

What you are hearing and then some…
 
The numbers refer to the locomotive (or unit) number, which identifies the specific one making the movement. This is critical when more than one locomotive is in the area.
 
Protection means “3 Point Protection” to ensure the engineer does not move when work is being done on or around the freight cars: the locomotive (independent) brake is fully applied, the reverser is centered, and the generator field is switched off, so no electrical power can be made. Whoever is handling the cars, let’s say a brakeman, will tell the engineer to initiate “three-point,” the engineer will respond that protection is on, and when the brakeman is finished, tell the engineer so, and they will respond it is now off.  
 
You will also hear something like “needing slack”: this is when the couplers are pulled too tight, and the cut levers cannot lift the pin connecting the couplers together. A slight movement corrects this. Other terms are “coupling made” or “stretch them” to make sure cars did couple together.    
 
Railroad lingo differs by railroad and region of the country. I’ve never heard of the term “parking brake” and can only think this refers to the hand brakes on cars. Some may say, “move ahead or back,” which can also include the direction (east, west…). Railroads can have specific radio rules regarding movements, although crews may alter these a bit, especially if they know each other well. We had brakemen who would say, “go ahead and back up” or “going in between,” which meant they were adjusting couplers or connecting air hoses but knew not to move until instructed.  
 
I’m sure some other members with rr experience will add to this.   
 

In my area, they refer to the three points as "three step protection" or just "three step"

Another interesting jargon about what you may hear is trains making set offs or pickups in the yard, they communicate with the engine over the radio and you will hear a “countdown” leading to an action which the train will stop and the conductor uncouples the cars. He’ll then move train cars around the yard and switch to make the necessary couples or uncouples depending on train cars they need to get in the yard


“3 to go M404, 2 to go M404, one to go M404”. They may also stretch to make sure train cars are being honest


nick

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/24 11:37 by Darthsimpletext.

What your hearing is the remote control engine talk back. Pull back protection off is what its saying. Plus it will announce all illegal moves , dragging brake ect

Thank you, all, for helping me learn. That’s why I like this board so much! I always get good answers and I never get put down for asking anything.

Posted from iPhone

NSDTK Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What your hearing is the remote control engine
> talk back. Pull back protection off is what its
> saying. Plus it will announce all illegal moves ,
> dragging brake ect


Bingo.

Posted from Android

While we're at it, I hear a reference to an "MTR" or "MDR" (These guys mutter a lot), only on Norfolk Southern.

Mainly I have heard it when a train crew is speaking with the PTC desk and it is usually in the context of
being unable to enter the "MTR" or "MDR" in the PTC during pre-departure preparation. From the various conversations I'm
beginning to think it might be an acronym for the train's consist, but I'm wondering what the three letters mean.

Maybe "Master Train Record" or such?

PTC issues and EOT telemetry equipment problems seem to be the two leading causes of late departures and delays en route,
as far as I can tell.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/24 07:44 by yankingeorgia.