train guys...."do not hump" ??

[pELYgroso]

so, I'm driving S on I-15 in Salt Lake today and off to the right I see a train car completely covered in blue shrink wrap. In the middle of the car, in big stenciled lettering it says "Siemens," and at each end, in slightly smaller lettering (also stenciled from the factory) it says, "Do not hump"

kinda made me chuckle a little.

What does "do not hump" mean??

or was somebody from the factory playing a joke and telling everyone to not hump the train car full of siemens?? haha.

 

[I Lean]

That's common, it means don't "kick" the cars when building a train. Typically they get the cars rolling, then release it and let it roll under it's own momentum to couple into the other cars.

Usually in that case you'll also not kick a car into that one...both the fragile load and the one behind it will be motored nicely to couple up, rather than rolling/slamming home.

 

[SmokinCamel]

I saw that on my way to the DMV a few weeks ago. It was funny

 

[TRNDRVR]

That's common, it means don't "kick" the cars when building a train. Typically they get the cars rolling, then release it and let it roll under it's own momentum to couple into the other cars.

Usually in that case you'll also not kick a car into that one...both the fragile load and the one behind it will be motored nicely to couple up, rather than rolling/slamming home.

Nice answer Carl, but I think he was aiming this question to "train guys"....you know, railroad employees?




Also *Classification yard*

 

[4x4_Welder]

A hump yard is an automated train building system where individual cars are cut off a train, roll down a hill or "hump", through a set of computer controlled switches, and then run into another string of cars heading in the same direction. It's very rough, as distances are estimated and cars are sent with some extra speed to make sure they make it. The computer system does also activate a retarder system but if the cars go to slow, they won't couple and will need an extra push.

 

[TRNDRVR]

I see a train car completely covered in blue shrink wrap. In the middle of the car, in big stenciled lettering it says "Siemens," and at each end, in slightly smaller lettering (also stenciled from the factory) it says, "Do not hump"

 

[I Lean]

Nice answer Carl, but I think he was aiming this question to "train guys"....you know, railroad employees?

That is true, now that you mention it....perhaps I should delete my answer and let someone more currently qualified handle this one?

 

[TRNDRVR]

That is true, now that you mention it....perhaps I should delete my answer and let someone more currently qualified handle this one?

Qualified?

Do you know how many years it's been since I kicked a car?

Trust me, you're more qualified then I am!!!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I don't think I've ever been through Callao without the 'Do Not Hump' tanks being discussed

 

[pfinder]

"humping" means to not slam other train cars into other train cars, like dont ram the one into the other. pretty much slowing push them together when your hooking them up. i used to laugh and joke about it til i got the ***** out by a locomotive driver. its still funny now that i think about it

 

[ChestonScout]

I grew up with the train tracks in my backyard in Layton.


Ive laughed at those cars for as long as I can remember!

I always figured it was directed towards Hobos

 

[TRNDRVR]

i used to laugh and joke about it til i got the ***** out by a locomotive driver.

Only the UTA has "locomotive drivers"!