Story - Special Instructions for train handling on L'Anse Hill

L'Anse Hill is one of the most severe grades on any railroad in Michigan. The hill was the site of a number of runaway trains caused damage to the railroad and nearby town of L'Anse. This included several fatalities. Originally built by the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railroad, the line has changed hands to the Soo Line Railroad, Wisconsin Central, and later to the Canadian National, its current owner in 2020.

As posted by the Wisconsin Central Ltd. Railroad on December 2, 1992, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

General Order No. A-28

All Concerned - All Subdivisions
General Order No. A-5 dated January 1, 1992 is cancelled

The following conditions will govern:

The following is added to Soo Line Air Brake and General Instructions

Train Handling for the L’Anse Subdivision:

STOPPING ON ASCENDING GRADE

Freight trains stopping on the ascending grade between L’Anse and Summit or Marquette and Morgan will be governed by the following Instructions.

1. The engineer will immediately make a full service brake pipe reduction to hold the train on the grade.

2. A member of the crew will immediately apply all hand brakes to secure train on the grade and set retainer valves before releasing and recharging the air brakes.

3. After the sir brake system is fully recharged and with hand brakes still applied on loaded cars and retainer valves set, the engineer will attempt to back the train down the grade to a level location if operating rules permit. Additional hand brakes must be released if the train is unable to back down the grade.

4. Trains stopped on the grade between L’Anse and Summit will back down the grade to either Herman (MP 9) or Bovine (MP14.8) if  conditions permit.

5. Trains unable to back down the grade to a level location will make an emergency brake application and apply hand brakes on all cars left unattended before doubling train to the top of the grade.

DESCENDING GRADE

Freight trains descending the grade between Summit and L’Anse or Morgan and Marquette will be governed by the following instructions.

1. Air brake system on engine and train must be fully charged.

2. Lead locomotive must be equipped with a brake pipe pressure maintaining feature in operative condition.

3. Train must be stopped if speed cannot be controlled from an 18 PSI brake pipe reduction.

4. An emergency brake application should be made without hesitation if train speed cannot be controlled safely.

5. Should the train be stopped by emergency action all hand brakes must be applied to hold the train before recharging the train brakes to the required pressure.

6. Trains required to double down the grade will apply hand brakes on all cars left on the grade. An emergency application of the brakes must be made on the cars to be left before the hand brakes are applied. When necessary, hand brakes will remain Applied on the loaded cars being doubled down the grade. Care
must be taken to insure the wheels do not slide.

WINTER OPERATIONS

The following instructions are in effect between November 15 and March 15 or when snow is above the rail.

1. Westward trains descending between Summit and L’Anse will have the retainer valves set to the high pressure position on loaded cars and low pressure or slow direct exhaust position on empty cars when tons per operative brake exceeds 60.  Trains required to back down the grade between Summit and L’Anse or Morgan and Marquette will position the retainer valves as indicated above.

2. Trains are limited to 80 tons or less per operative brake between Summit and L’Anse and 90 tons or less per operative brake between Morgan and Marquette.

3. Four empty cars with cast iron shoes must be made up in every train operating between Summit and L’Anse when tons per operative brake exceeds 60.

4. Empty idler cars with cast iron shoes will be stored at Nestoria and Marquette and will be used when necessary to reduce the tons per operative brake to the prescribed limits.

5. When practicable, two units, or one with operative extended range dynamic brakes, must be used on every train operating between Summit and L’Anse. Engineers must attempt to pull the train through Herman (MP 9) and Bovine (MP 14.8) without releasing the air brakes. When unable to pull the train through these areas, the train must be stopped and the air brakes fully recharged before proceeding. 

6. When conditions require, the train crew must use the locomotive or snow plow to clear the main track of snow before ascending or descending the grade.

J. L. BRADSHAW
Vice President & General Manager