Air Brakes and Train Handling Rules - Alaska Railroad

6 4 TRAIN HANDLING64 Train Handling64.1 General Requirements For Train HandlingLocomotive engineers must exercise judgment and plan ahead tooperate their train safely and efficiently. Good train handling requiresthe proper combination of throttle modulation, dynamic braking, andair braking to:• Protect yourself and others from injury.• Prevent damage to the track structure and equipment.• Protect lading.• Use the most fuel efficient method consistent with good trainhandling.64.2 Controlling In-Train ForcesControlling and limiting in-train forces is essential for safe trainoperation. Unless an emergency or other condition requires immediatespeed reduction, change throttle positions and dynamic and airbrake applications slowly to allow slack to adjust gradually.Many locomotives can produce higher tractive effort than the averagetrain’s draft gear and couplers can withstand. Draft force limits forcouplers and draft gears are:• For Grade “C” steel couplers—280,000 pounds (applies to mostmixed freight trains)• For Grade “E” steel couplers—390,000 pounds (applies to unittrain equipment and some freight equipment)High retarding force during dynamic braking can cause excessivebuff forces. To limit these forces observe dynamic braking limitations.June 1, 1996 ARRC Air Brakes and Train Handling Manual 64-1