How to change a knuckle on a rail car

Changing a knuckle on a parked rail car. Same for csx and all other major rail companies.

[@dillio8384]

Ive been a conductor for 8 years now and hadn't had to change a knuckle since training. Well being stuck in the middle of no where and forgotten how to, this video was very helpful and exactly what I was looking for. Seriously thank you!

[@jaymendoza6171]

I work on these cars. Hopper cars tank cars and box cars. Change out knuckles, gears couplers, wheel, jacket overlays and inserts. Fun work!

[@horroreader410]

Just got hired on CSX Columbus division. Leaving for my conductor training tomorrow. This helped a lot. Definitely good to know what I’m at least gonna be getting myself into and what to expect

[@joemc111]

So it’s been 6months how you doing on the job, my Father-in-law was a conductor, he always said that knuckle change out was a hard job.

[@horroreader410]

@@joemc111 Being a conductor has been really easy itself honestly. Training went well, and I’ve been on my own for a few months. I came from a short line so I knew somewhat what to expect but tbh, the short line was a lot harder. Weather and hotels are the worst park of the job by far tho. CSX definitely goes for the cheapest hotels they can find. Ohio weather is brutal too. Especially when you’re working remote control in the yard where you’re outside for 8 hours straight at least. But like I said the job isn’t hard at all. My advice to anyone reading this if you wanna survive on at CSX: If you’re on the road trains, expect to almost never sleep at home in your own bed, always check your hotel beds for bed bugs, and get used to going 12+ hours not talking to anyone except your engineer, dispatch, etc. For people wanting to work yard jobs: expect to work 8-12 hours on your feet riding cars. Also expect to work 3rd shift a lot and be careful. CSX sucks at making sure there’s enough light in their yards

[@joemc111]

@@horroreader410 good to hear you are liking the job.

[@horroreader410]

@@joemc111 Not bad at all. I’m leaving the transportation department however within the next few weeks. I was offered a signal maintainer job for more money because of my degree with better hours so it was a no brainer lol

[@joemc111]

never turn down a promotion, because the person asking you already knows that you can handle that new job.

[@comradeeverclear4063]

Super cool. So it really is a straight forward process. I'm going to go work for UP in December, so I looked up how to do this way ahead of time for prep haha.

[@jaysrailroadcorner5403]

Me too. This Monday…. Leaving TTX of almost 7 years.

[@bda1410]

Had to this on my own for the first time the other day. This video helped!! Thanks bro🙏🏾

[@christopherrichardson5166]

BDA 14 you welcome if you got any more questions this inbox me below

[@valentinejeman8273]

Super simple explanation, good delivery. Thanks for video!

[@paulferreira8342]

I like your vids! Informative and classy. Thanks for making and posting!

[@devenprice331]

Just had to put my first one back together this didn’t help a ton on what I needed but I watched and observed what you did and really helped me because I saw what I was doing wrong!

[@primojimenez2010]

It's easy to change out knuckles

[@primojimenez2010]

I always change out the guts of the coupler

[@alexschonski3637]

Respect from Canada stay safe .

[@jmcfarlandjr]

Good video. Straight to the point.

[@alexschonski3637]

Chris great video , little know fact it was an African American that developed the design for the couplers we use today the man's name was Andrew Jackson Beard , do a search on him , nothing has changed in over a hundred years same coupler knuckle , same thrower , same lifter and block , I worked at Procor as a fitter in new car construction , and later as a rail car repairman as well , then at National Steel Car in Hamilton , all told twenty years working on Railcars , Sometimes I miss working on the railcars , but now getting on in age ,have a good gig servicing transit buses but the rail car work will always be the best time of my working life .

[@devonodonnell6443]

Ready for more train instruction video. ❤

[@dinonuggetdinner]

great video, you should make more!

[@toilettowerdefence_player]

COOL I love those part on trains I’ve always wanted to touch the knuckle!!!!!!

[@jacobsmith1877]

If the internal uncoupler drops all the way and won't raise up out of the way, it helps to have bungee cables around the uncoupling lever holding and side ladder, which will pull the lever up as you pry the uncoupler free with a chisel inside the coupler housing. I had to do this just two days ago. I tried without the bungees but the uncoupling lever wouldn't budge, so I had to walk 18 cars back to the engine and dig through my bag to find the bungees somewhere in the bottom of my bag (they had literally never been used). All road engines need to have bungees as standard tools in the nose, but they won't even buy us brake sticks for the engines so maybe I'm expecting too much.

[@paddyireland8261]

When your lift lock drops press the side of the lift lock as you pull lever they drop out and to the side when you remove the knuckle lock. I always free the lever for replacements and inspections set it on the ground and it will hold the lift lock up for you to insert the knuckle.

[@primojimenez2010]

If the cutlever didn't move it might been the locklifter wasn't in place with the knuckle lock

[@tallballz15]

Great video bruh

[@jaymack6341]

great video bro

[@katherineledesma5201]

Thanks for this video, it helped out a lot. Exactly what I wanted to see and know. Just one other question. How tall is that knuckle from the ground?

[@christopherrichardson5166]

Katherine Ledesma hey to answer your question that knuckle is off the ground 3 to 4 inches

[@jdanderson915]

awesome. you the man!

[@paddyireland8261]

Concrete floors damn I wish I could drop em like that. Do 90% of my 88 b 2 inspections with come alongs and an A frame

[@maxsettings2906]

Hey Chris Up is hiring in elko and salt lake

[@davebrown5314]

That’s that NWRI training ? NS Detroit Conductor. Just got hired. You out east?

[@christopherrichardson5166]

Dave Brown yes I'm out east but how did you know that I got my training from nwri

[@zachpollak4723]

He’s not kidding about those being heavy I had one fall on my foot a couple weeks ago and got lucky with it only fracturing my foot and not being crushed

[@eoinpkav152]

I’ve dropped a new tie on my foot once :,) destroyed my red wings.

[@christopherrichardson5166]

I know rite

[@christopherrichardson5166]

@@eoinpkav152 so what you trying to say is you miss and drop a railroad tie on your foot yeah man they are heavy just be careful out there

[@eoinpkav152]

@@christopherrichardson5166 Thanks bro, stay safe out there.

[@christopherrichardson5166]

Yeah be careful out there man on the rails like I said you know when you changing that knuckle be careful when you changing it because if you don't be careful and you miss and take that knuckle out of the drawbar the wrong way it can really do some damage to the point that you probably can't walk no more

[@maxsettings2906]

i think norfolk is hiring in western pa. Also put in for union pacfic i got hired out for up

[@willschwabenbauer2577]

lift it like an atlas stone......great idea man.

[@SteveC84]

👍Always lift with your legs.

[@ajaaniajaa]

I wish you goodluck at csx bro.

[@christopherrichardson5166]

ajaaniajaa if you have any questions about Railroad just comment below and I can answer it the best way I know how

[@ajaaniajaa]

I have no questions at all. I'm a railroader myself wishing goodluck to my fellow railroaders.

[@christopherrichardson5166]

Thanks man I appreciate it but I have a question which Railroad Company you work for

[@ajaaniajaa]

CP Rail in Canada.

[@christopherrichardson5166]

To be honest with you I just not too long ago put in a application for CP

[@esaisosa3069]

next time can you please record closer? thnks

[@UnionPacific525]

Hey how's it going?

[@christopherrichardson5166]

Good

[@mr.sniperrelichunts8418]

I’m a 16 year old kid. I was wondering how to become a train engineer/ conductor

[@TheWoodfordreserve]

Finish high school, don't do any drugs, stay physically fit, and when you turn 18 just apply to all the railways in your area.

[@hepoosie9645]

You ever get on with any railroad bro?

[@christopherrichardson5166]

To be honest with you no I've been working odd jobs but I still put application in but they are so hard to get in especially the class 1

[@christopherrichardson5166]

But you can take my knowledge what I had show you in the video and use it at work if you work for the railroad but I have also a second video out there to that video is about switching tracks but if you have any answers or comments to ask me just comment below

[@hepoosie9645]

I work for Norfolk Southern, but good info. Keep trying , you’ll get on eventually.

[@DavidsIntro]

Broooo move your feet out the way when that knuckle coming down!

[@jbgaming7570]

👁👄👁 get closer so I could see and hear better

[@thekracken4572]

The knuckle pin does nothing to keep the cars coupled together. That little pin would never be able to hold the force of of a mile long train. The coupler and knuckle lock together internally in the coupler in the closed position.

[@billfeld5883]

85lbs is a good work out!! 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@sxwsan8106]

I filmed this video

[@elliott9999999]

There's an easier way where you dont let the knuckle fall on the ground lmao

[@christopherrichardson5166]

Well once again which railroad you work for so how can Pacific call up and ask them how to change the knuckle the correct way since you are making a big deal out of nothing lmao

[@elliott9999999]

Richardson Canadian Pacific lol

[@elliott9999999]

@@christopherrichardson5166 and how is that making a big deal lol I just said there's an easier way where the knuckle doesn't fall on the ground

[@bwlngod]

Why drop the knuckle on the ground? Lol I change hundreds of these and never drop them. Then you don't have to lift it

[@christopherrichardson5166]

LOL what type of training you have

[@twhamm9164]

CSX Conductor for 16 years.... I was taught to let the broken knuckle fall to the ground, like this Conductor demonstrated. Just a difference in training I guess. They would rather gravity drop the broken knuckle instead of us lifting it out. Hammbone over n out👍🏼

[@christopherrichardson5809]

Sorry I didn’t reply back to you man but yeah you’re right everybody learns differently

[@jaysrailroadcorner5403]

BOOOOOOOOOOOO👎🏾

[@jaysrailroadcorner5403]

Jk. 😁