How to Set a Railroad Hi-rail Vehicle on the Track

Safety Precautions:

The person setting the hi-rail truck on the rail and the person helping should wear high visibility clothes (ex. vest, sweatshirt, coat) in order to be seen by possible oncoming traffic. A hardhat and gloves should also be worn to protect your head and hands from injury such as a cut or a bump on the head. When setting a hi-rail truck on the rail you want to be cautious of road traffic as well as train traffic because getting hit by either one could cost you serious injury or your life.

Introduction:

This instructable is a step by step guide on how to properly set a railroad hi-rail vehicle on the track in order to traverse the track. When these steps are followed the truck should be set on the rail with no potential of injury or derailing the vehicle. All railroad personnel will find this helpful to perform their duties properly. It can also be used as a training device for new employees.

List of materials:

high visibility clothing (ex. vest, sweatshirt, shirt, coat)

hardhat

gloves

hi-rail vehicle fully equipped with hi-rail gear

Turn the strobe light and rail gear pump on by flipping these two switches (pictured above) inside the vehicle located on the dashboard just under the radio.

Look for oncoming vehicles on the road and also look for train traffic on the adjacent tracks. When both are clear pull the hi-rail vehicle on the designated track in a manner that your wheels are lined up with the rail.

Line up the back hi-rail gear so when lowered the flange of the hi-rail wheels will sit inside the ball of the rail.

Pull the red handled pin and simultaneously push the "down" button to lower the hi-rail gear onto the rail.

After the rail gear is down insure that the flange of the hi-rail wheel is sitting inside the ball of the rail.

Now you will want to line up the front hi-rail gear so when lowered the flange of the hi-rail wheels will sit inside the ball of the rail.

There is a separate pin to pull for the front hi-rail gear. You will want to pull the red handled pin and simultaneously push the "down" button to lower the front hi-rail gear onto the rail.

After the rail gear is down insure that the flange of the hi-rail wheel is sitting inside the ball of the rail.

Straighten the vehicle tires so they are parallel with the rail. If they are turned outwards or inwards in could derail the truck. The vehicle tires must be straight.

After setting the truck on properly, the final step is to perform a brake test. This is a test to determine the stopping distance of the vehicle on the rail. Wet or cold conditions can make the rail slick which takes the vehicle longer to stop. This test must be performed every time a vehicle is set on the rail. In order to do this test you must drive a short distance (10-20 feet) then apply to brakes. Please view the video to see this being done.