Train Order Stand Forks - Two And Three Positions - Clearance Standards

Discussion in 'Right of Way' started by yardmaster, Jul 25, 2011.

  1. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    John Moore Jr.'s photo essays triggered a questions regarding Frisco Train Order forks.

    Southwestern division train ride in 1954 by John Moore, Jr.

    I've seen photos and drawings before where the train order stand includes two forks, but not three such as the one depicted at Cement, OK, page 13 of 25.

    1) If 3 sets of orders were hooped up, for whom was the third set?

    2) How far from the track center line were the order stands set?

    Perhaps I should just be more direct and say Karl, do you have any B&B standard plans? :)

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 16, 2024
  2. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    1. The helper crew would receive a set of orders.

    2. The Frisco issued a Clearance Manual, Form 699 Standard, which is a rather thick document that covers the standard Frisco clearances as well as the clearance regulations promulgated by the states through which the Frisco traveled. Alabama and Mississippi did not have statutes regarding railroad clearances.

    Train order delivery stands are not specifically mentioned, but mail cranes are. Perhaps, we can use that figure for our modeling purposes. The crane mast is set 10'-8" from the track centerline; that places the mail sack 6'-6" from the track centerline.

    My book of standard plans does not include a train order delivery stand.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 16, 2024
  3. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Karl, that helps immensely!

    This data should make my modeling efforts reasonably accurate when I install train order stands and a mail crane at Olathe.

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 16, 2024
  4. wmrx

    wmrx MP Trainmaster

    In my days of picking up orders on the fly, the top position was for the engine crew, the middle was for passenger train crews and the bottom was for freight train crews on the caboose.

    Naturally, the train order operator had to know what type of train he or she was hanging orders for so that the proper position of the bottom two was used.

    I never worked with manned helper engines, so I am unable to verify Karl's statement in that regard.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 16, 2024

Share This Page