06-17-2009, 10:20 AM
The Telemetry devices used on the rear of trains nowadays monitor air pressure and give the ability for the engineer to place the train in emergency from the rear if necessary. They also provide a red light or reflective marker to the rear of the train. Roller bearings have eliminated the need to constantly monitor journals for hot boxes. And Centralized traffic control has all but eliminated the need for rear end flag protection. These things are what allowed the caboose to be eliminated from trains. Hence no brakeman on the rear. With the conductor moved up front he could do the job of a head end brakeman. So there go your 2 brakeman spots on road freights. And the fireman was eliminated as well. Leaving 2 people.
Yard jobs and locals still need brakeman because there is a lot of foot work to do, making spots, kicking cars, etc. Of course, there are times when a crew of 2 does this with no brakeman. Oh, and in today's railroad climate, there are crews of... ONE... that's right, I forgot to mention the remote controlled operations. One engineer/conductor on the ground, doing all the leg work alone, with a large remote control box strapped to his waist held up with suspenders. He controls all movement of the locomotive AND does all the ground work AND does all the paperwork.
Glad I am not still on the job.
Dave
Yard jobs and locals still need brakeman because there is a lot of foot work to do, making spots, kicking cars, etc. Of course, there are times when a crew of 2 does this with no brakeman. Oh, and in today's railroad climate, there are crews of... ONE... that's right, I forgot to mention the remote controlled operations. One engineer/conductor on the ground, doing all the leg work alone, with a large remote control box strapped to his waist held up with suspenders. He controls all movement of the locomotive AND does all the ground work AND does all the paperwork.
Glad I am not still on the job.
Dave
-Dave