by Pj
What exactly is a kicker? Looking at an accident report for something that happened near me...
PROCEEDING IN AN EAST DIRECTION ON #2 MAIN TRACK, SIGNAL 103-2 INDICATION WAS APPROACH, PREPARING TO STOP AT PARKERS. ENGR MADE A MINIMUM AUTOMATIC REDUCTION - THE TRAIN WENT INTO EMERGENCY DUE TO A KICKER. IN ADDITION, ENGR APPLIED INDEPENDENT BRAKE TO KEEP THE SLACK IN. THE AIR TO THE TRAIN WAS RECOVERED (THE ANGLE COCK ON AMGX 7072 WAS CLOSED WHEN THE DRAWBAR DISLOGED). NO VISUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. THE CREW PROCEDDED EAST FOR ABOUT 4900 FEET, AND TRAIN WENT INTO EMERGENCY AGAIN DUE TO AGMX 7072 A END DETRUCKED INTO CP PARKER SWTICH