How Does Extreme Cold Affect Rail Operations?

Question:  How do locomotives exposed to extreme cold conditions affect daily switching operations?

Answer:  Extreme cold conditions slow down rail operations, including switching, for a variety of reasons. 

Most railroads have policies in place to ensure switching locomotives stay running (or their engines stay warm with various new fuel-efficient engine warming systems).  A very cold locomotive can be very hard to start.  Any delay in starting switching operations at the start of a shift will have a negative effect on the ability to switch cars and build trains in a timely fashion.  Lose an hour or more trying to start a locomotive, or getting a replacement (if there even is one) from the ready track, and you’re in an uphill battle.  Delays cascade and pile up—you can jack a yard up so bad it will take over a week to recover in just one bad shift.

Extreme cold is miserable for switching crews, too, and slows down their productivity.  There are not too many less fun places to be than out on the switching lead, kicking cars at night with a minus ten degree wind chill blowing on you.  I used to bring my guys and gals hot chocolate on nights like this (as the junior guy, I worked nights).  A heightened awareness of safety is an absolute must in conditions like this, because the cold is a distraction.

Extreme cold affects equipment other than locomotives, too.  Ice and cold will jam cut levers, draw bars, coupler knuckles, brake wheels, switches, and drain radio and lantern batteries a lot faster.  Train air brake lines (e.g., brake valve seals and the glad hand connections between cars) don’t hold air as well in cold weather.  Rails are more slippery, so engine wheels slip and sand piles build up on the yard tracks.  Rails will break and rail joints will pull apart. 

Railroading in winter is truly an adventure.  Thanks for asking and stay safe out there.

Here we go!