Things you always wanted to know the answer to [Vol. 3]

[thismonkeyhere]

droopsnoot said:

thismonkeyhere said:

One regarding the mahoosive trains in the USA (though might also apply to a certain extent to more normal trains here?):

http://www.railway-technical.com/us-musp.shtml

Interesting, thanks, but doesn't answer the question of how the other locos, a quarter of a mile away or more, are also connected. Run-through cabling in all the freight cars?

[droopsnoot]

You're right, I glazed over part-way down. This other page ( http://www.railway-technical.com/muops.shtml ) says that basically yes, a control cable running through all vehicles allows control from anywhere. While it's not really talking about the kind of massive freight train you mentioned it seems sensible that they'd try to standardise whether it's one of those, a Pendolino or a two-car rattly cross-country unit.

On a separate matter, I've heard on the news about the victims being returned from Tunisia, eight on the first plane, nine on the second. But what's the reason for only bringing such a small number at a time, rather than all 30 (at the time I last heard) on the same plane? Is the plane short of space, is it down to when they are released from Tunisia, is there some other reason for running multiple flights?

[Hugo a Gogo]

returning to different places?

[droopsnoot]

Possibly, I thought the two so far had both come to Brize Norton but haven't double-checked.

[D_T_W]

paolow said:

An aircraft one that has been bugging me, well a couple if anyone is kind enough to assist?

When the cabin 'bongs' sound is there a set meaning? I know that in supermarkets (poor analogy I know) one bell means clearance (for booze etc) two means assistance, I cant remember what 3 is but 4 was for a blatant shoplifter - or someone that looked like a skank.

Best I can find is:

one bong for a cabin crew call, two is for a message to be passed from the flight deck, 3 is for T/O or landing imminent and >3 there is something serious going on. Is that correct?

One that sticks in the mind is bongs going "high low high low" which I assume is message to be passed and immediately repeated?

Also, if I was in a light plane (single engine prop or similar) that had a sudden issue (engine failure or whatever) and Heathrow / Gatwick were closest and I declared a PAN / Mayday - could I land at such a major airport if given clearance?

I've done some googling but there does not seem to be a clear answer!

It depends on the airline and sometimes the aircraft. When I worked at Ryanair it went something like this

1 'high' bong - Passenger Call Bell
1 'high low' bong - Cockpit calling Cabin, or if just after takeoff it was to release the crew from their seats
2 'high low' bongs - Intercabin call (ie crew at the front calling the crew at the back via the intercom)

Some airlines use the bongs as indication to arm/disarm the cabin doors, or the flightdeck crew advise the cabin crew when to arm/disarm the doors by PA, but at Ryanair the flightdeck kept well out of the way of the Cabin Crew and it was treated as two separate domains. Captain has overall command of the aircraft, but he deferred to the Cabin Supervisor on anything relating to the cabin, so they would be in control of the doors etc on arrival and departure

[thismonkeyhere]

droopsnoot said:

On a separate matter, I've heard on the news about the victims being returned from Tunisia, eight on the first plane, nine on the second. But what's the reason for only bringing such a small number at a time, rather than all 30 (at the time I last heard) on the same plane? Is the plane short of space, is it down to when they are released from Tunisia, is there some other reason for running multiple flights?

Not that I know much about the processes involved, but it could perhaps be related to how and when the bodies are released by the Tunisian authorities and diplomatic necessities are completed?

[BristolRich]

droopsnoot said:

You're right, I glazed over part-way down. This other page ( http://www.railway-technical.com/muops.shtml ) says that basically yes, a control cable running through all vehicles allows control from anywhere. While it's not really talking about the kind of massive freight train you mentioned it seems sensible that they'd try to standardise whether it's one of those, a Pendolino or a two-car rattly cross-country unit.

In the US the loco control is via secure radio comms between each loco or a bank of locos. The freight cars (US term) are independant of each others and provide no through electrical connection other than air braking via the air brake hoses.

In the UK we operate locos differently and depends very much on what is being hauled.

We do not often have the need to top and tail full trains but it does occur. Usually this is usually with one loco at the front operating independantly, dragging the dead loco at the rear. Where power is required (e.g. banking at the rear) then the loco will be man operated. Some specific freight stock is fitted for through control but these are dedicated sets and usually for specific tasks - e.g. engineers use.

Loco hauled passenger and non passenger coaching stock has a system fitted in most cases which operates very much like the CANBUS system on a car - using the power supplies as the control line to the loco at the rear.

Adjacent Loco to Loco control has only been standardised in the last 15years or so. Prior to that there was numerous different conection methods - think square peg round hole.

In the 1940s the Americans were testing radio controlled Diesel locomotives. In the UK we were still developing enhanced coal fired steam boiler design...

Edited by BristolRich on Friday 3rd July 12:24

[thismonkeyhere]

BristolRich said:

In the US the loco control is via secure radio comms between each loco or a bank of locos. The freight cars (US term) are independant of each others and provide no through electrical connection other than air braking via the air brake hoses.

Does this not prevent a significant risk of them failing to 'talk' to each other as the train proceeds through tunnels etc?

[MarshPhantom]

35 odd years late, but why are the Blues Brothers so called when they don't play the blues. Soul yes, and the film features soul and jazz artists, but no blues.

Why?????

[Hugo a Gogo]

how about John Lee Hooker?

[AlexC1981]

BristolRich said:

In the 1940s the Americans were testing radio controlled Diesel locomotives. In the UK we were still developing enhanced coal fired steam boiler design...

Edited by BristolRich on Friday 3rd July 12:24

I think that might have been due to the availability of home sourced coal being much greater than that of oil at the time.

[kowalski655]

Because their names were Jake and Elwood Blues !

[mattdaniels]

paolow said:

Also, if I was in a light plane (single engine prop or similar) that had a sudden issue (engine failure or whatever) and Heathrow / Gatwick were closest and I declared a PAN / Mayday - could I land at such a major airport if given clearance?

Short answer - yes, if there is a mayday situation (ie. immediate danger/threat to life) you get the aircraft on the ground as safely as you can and worry about the fall out afterwards.

Longer answer - Highly unlikely you'd carry a Mayday in to Heathrow or Gatwick airspace, there are other options and plenty of fields around before you get near.

Pan is an urgent but non life threatening issue, impossible to believe you'd need to land at Heathrow or Gatwick over any other option just for a Pan.

[MarshPhantom]

Hugo a Gogo said:

how about John Lee Hooker?

Apart from John Lee Hooker?

Forgot about him.

[MarshPhantom]

kowalski655 said:

Because their names were Jake and Elwood Blues !

Should have been called Jake and Elwood Soul!

[wack]

paolow said:

An aircraft one that has been bugging me, well a couple if anyone is kind enough to assist?

When the cabin 'bongs' sound is there a set meaning? I know that in supermarkets (poor analogy I know) one bell means clearance (for booze etc) two means assistance, I cant remember what 3 is but 4 was for a blatant shoplifter - or someone that looked like a skank.

20 years ago my brother in law worked in the warehouse at one of the big DIY sheds

They never got to see any fit totty on the shop floor so the lads worked out a code

Whenever a girl with a sizeable chest came in they'd announce on the tannoy

Customer service 600, size check aisle 6, then the lads would come out of the warehouse for a look

Doesn't help with the plane bongs but you'll know what size check means

[227bhp]

Hugo a Gogo said:

MarshPhantom said:

P-Jay said:

Hugo a Gogo said:

all the 6 gear manual cars nowadays, isn't it a bit of a waste of time having all those ratios? 5th is for what, hard acceleration between 100 and 110?

we're not talking track day cars here, diesel estates and the like

99.9% of the time, you'll either want the gears up to 4th, for acceleration, which will take you well over the limit, then 6th for easy cruising

is it just something that helps the official fuel figures?

5th in mine is most efficient at about 50-60, sort of rural a-road cruising, 6th is pure motorway cruising though, below 60 it's thinking about stalling, or at least juddering.

4th seems only there to offer a smother bridge between 3rd and 5th though - 3rd is long enough for slip roads and whatnot and as you say once you've joined the motorway, unless I went a bit nutty and fancied giving it all up to 140 4th's a bit pointless.

Problem with 6th is lack engine braking on the motorway.

then bang it into 2nd if you really need engine braking

EFA.

I'd rather have too many gears than too little, you can always find a use for one at sometime or other!
Modern smaller engines are creating more power at less RPM than ever so higher gears are needed, 5th is good for towing with
on a 6 speed box.

[ambuletz]

sorry to go off topic, but is there a shed thread topic on GG? for all cars up to 1k? I've tried searching but not had much luck.

I know of the following so far..

classic (old) retro cars for sale 0-5k
m barge general rant 1-5 large
best of the bargain basement

[DervVW]

There used to be - I think it kind of died a death once the new tax rules came in, no longer could you get a v12 with 6 months tax for £50

[kowalski655]

Last one is for <1k