Flying Shunt

A method to roll a car into a stub track when the train is approaching from the opposite side of the switch to the stub track.

The train is stopped several yards from the switch. The engine and the car to be dropped is uncoupled from the main part of the train, and the brake reservoir on the car to be dropped is emptied. Brakeman #1 rides the car to be dropped, and brakeman #2 operates the switch.

The engine is accelerated, just prior to reaching the switch the engineer slacks the throttle, brakeman #1 pulls the uncoupling handle, then the engine speeds up, pulling away from the rolling car. Once the engine passes the switch, brakeman #2 throws the switch allowing the rolling car to go in the stub track.

Once the car is by the switch brakeman #1 applies the hand brake to stop the car. The engine now can be backed up and then used to spot the car.

Although this action was considered to be unsafe, it was occasionally done.