Explaining Railroad Switching to someone else?

It is nearly impossible to try to explain to someone else what a Brakeman, Switchman, or Conductor does. So I don't even try anymore. The people with these titles can explain to each other and the Engineer what switching moves they want to do, and the others understand because they can mentally visualize what is to be done. But to explain switching to someone who has never done it cannot visualize what you're talking about. This is because it is a mental perception few people have ever had to develop.

I think I know what you mean about finding a video as an example. An animated, over head view of some basic switching maneuvers would explain a lot. I haven't seen one, but there may be something out there. If I find one, I'll post a link on here as an "edit".

Edit. http://youtu.be/oaobnsdchKA

This is about all I could find. Not a real good example. The first 1 1/2 minutes are nothing, but then it goes into some car placement with in a train, and kicking a car. There are other related vids in the right margin too.

Railroad Switching

Hi E.

Derail is right on target, as usual.

How would you describe the color 'green' to a person blind from birth? It's the same kind of thing.

Carrying the tag banging out a switch list is just as much art as experience. The moves made by road switchers or local freight are very complicated and require the ability for abstract thinking. Those that are good at it make or break the job / trip.

The enginemen here tease the brakemen and conductors, but he who can switch is worth his weight in gold. (Well, peanut butter anyway.)

Edit:

But it works both ways. Enginemen who can switch make the world a little brighter for those on the ground.

yeah i had to explain that to a buddy, I just drew a map of some made up yard and said the loco goes to the boxcar then the tanker, ect

http://www.freetraingames.org/game/22/Railroad-Shu...

This should "train" his mind into some switching.

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