Comments on: CN U71121 16, BNSF 4794 West charges up the South track at Bayview.

By: sdfourty

sdfourty — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 02:21:05 +0000

Great shot and very informative.
Are the buffer cars loads or empties?
On a loaded tank train could empty head end buffer cars create a ‘situation’ (ie on sharp curves at low speed or upon hard braking)?

By: MuskokaMoFo

MuskokaMoFo — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:07:03 +0000

Actually, there is an exception. Unless the train consists entirely of the same commodity, dangerous commodities cannot be marshaled beside a locomotive, or beside other threats such as cars with loads prone to shift not protected by a bulkhead etc.
But for a unit train of entirely the same commodity, a buffer car is not required on CN in Canada. These rules have been around for many years before Lac Megantic.

Rules are different in the US however, and buffer cars are mandatory. Most CN unit tank trains do have buffers because they are handed off to an American carrier/destination at some point, or they’re carrying assorted commodities throughout the train.

The 2nd buffer car serves as a backup if the first buffer car needs to be set-off enroute. The purpose of a buffer car is not so much to keep crews safe, but more to keep heat sources (locomotives) a safer distance away from loaded tanks.

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 23:45:47 +0000

Nice shot mofo!

Brad, buffer cars are required between any cars carrying toxic materials that are directly behind the locomotives as a form of protection for the crew in the event of a derailment.

By: BradKetchen

BradKetchen — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 17:57:13 +0000

I’ve noticed a couple of buffer cars now. Could it be because of the Lac Megantic fiasco?

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 13:42:02 +0000

How dreary and depressing the once-grand hangout looks these days.:o(