Guys,
A friend from Mexico tells me rail personnel in Mexico place thin explosive packets on rails
that explode on wheel contact. Anyone ever hear of this practice? For what purpose?
Bob
Explosive packets
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Re: Explosive packets
bobnsteam wrote:Guys,
A friend from Mexico tells me rail personnel in Mexico place thin explosive packets on rails
that explode on wheel contact. Anyone ever hear of this practice? For what purpose?
Bob
Probably torpedoes. Sounds like a gunshot when a train goes over them. Early signalling device used to warn an approaching train to stop in an era before radio communications. Still used at Durango & Silverton in Colorado.
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Re: Explosive packets
Torpedoes. I agree with Kevin. It is a signaling device to tell a following train another is in front of it. The rule book takes over from there.
John Bohon
John Bohon
Re: Explosive packets
Been in use for years and years. I remember them going off on the NYC when I was a kid, and I'll be 79 next week.

Re: Explosive packets
Thanks guys for the posts, torpedos right. Trains magazine editor sent me video source.
WWW.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb15YI8i1SE
WWW.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb15YI8i1SE
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Re: Explosive packets
Back when I was a brand new part of the Milwaukee Road 261 they were still carried in the cab. I don't recall when they disappeared, but I know they haven't been there for quite a number of years. I never heard one being used.
Mark D.
Mark D.
Mark D. - The bottom of the information curve
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