2015 Train Mountain Triennial

In anticipation of my first visit to TM I would like ensure that the safety equipment on my train will pass the TM safety requirements before arriving. Don't know if there are any hardware stores close by so making field modifications could take away from valuable train time . The post on safety chains discussed the use of welded eyebolts. Is this a requirement or just a suggestion?

I use two 1/4 inch non-welded eyebolts, and two 0.161" ( 2/0 ) welded SS chains ( chain is rated for 450 lb. SWL ) on my traincars ( one chain on each side of the coupler ) and use 3/16" screwtype quicklinks to attach the ends of the chain to the eyebolts. I would use 1/4 quick links but the chain link opening is not wide enough. In past years, and running on 0% grade, the front truck of my engineers car had left the track and the two safety chains between the engine and engineers car pulled the entire 6 car train w/o any difficulty. Will this hardware satisfy TM safety requirements or do I need to install new safety hardware of larger size ?

The only requirement is that you have safety chains. At that point we must use common sense as to what is actually safe. We have had people show up with decorative bathroom stopper chain. That is not safe and would not pass the common sense rule. That person would then be delayed as we get them set up with something that is safe. In your case, with two chains at each coupler, where each of them alone would pass the inspection, you will be just fine.

For the benefit of other readers, I will add the following info:

There is a very good hardware store in downtown Chiloquin, approximately 2 miles from TM, but we plan on having miscellaneous small items available at TM. Some are already available in the TM Company Store. If you have a non-welded eyebolt and want to get it welded, take it off your train and bring it in the TM Back Shop and someone will weld it for you. Our goal will be to make your consist safe and get you on the track as quickly as possible so you can enjoy Train Mountain.

TM is a mountain railroad with long grades in excess of one mile and up to 3.3%. A failed safety chain or attachment can be extremely dangerous. I have personally seen straightened out eyebolts of the non welded type. I use 5/8" eye bolts that I welded on my train. I have never seen a 5/8" welded eyebolt fail. Most people use the 1/4" eyebolt, and that will pass the inspection, but I recommend the 5/8". The other consideration is the chain or cable and coupling. Many people use the 3/16" quick link for a coupling and it will pass the inspection. I recommend the 1/4", and this is due to the strength rating. The same with the chain or cable. It must be strength rated to handle the load you are pulling, and this is for your own safety and protection against liability - not necessarily a specific Train Mountain requirement.

The Triennial Committee has uploaded additional information, images and recommendations for Safety Chains and Cables to the Triennial website. Here is a link to the PDF version:
http://trainmountaintriennial.org/resour...11.12r.pdf

For travelling by any mean of transport it very important to bring necessary safety equipment with us. Importantly the travel of trains and ships where lot of passenger are involve, proper safety is necessary. So the required size of safety chains and properly welded should always in trains and ships.

As this is not a Triennial year, this forum is not getting a lot of action. To check out what is happening at Train Mountain this year, go to the website at:
http://www.tmrr.org/index.shtml