GP40: She Took The Last Train...

[Rich_S]

That is actually not a bad idea! Or a dead-mans switch on the seat, set to five minutes of pressure to stop the train in case you fall asleep.

Ok, yes, I derailed the thread again, my bad. But seriously, in the video I use for reference, there is actually a Pulse digital speedo in the john, facing forward so that you can read it while you sit. So what is the purpose for that? If the engine suddenly speeds, do you run out of the toilet with your coveralls around your ankles and pull the e-brake?

In all honestly, if the engineer has to go, he is suppose to stop the train and do what he needs to do. Now you didn't hear this from me, but I've heard stories of the conductor taking over for a few minutes while the engineer does what he needs to do. I've never seen a speedometer in the short hood. If you are referring to the rectangle Pulse box, with the small rectangle window in the center of the front cover, yes that is part of the speedometer circuits, but it's not a speedometer. Part of it's function is to actually test the speedometer. Now the next question, what if it takes you longer than 2 minutes to do what you need to do, are you tying a string to the alerter so you can reset it when it goes off. Oh man I can see this thread heading down the old drain pipe again

[BNSFdude]

General practice is that conductors take over if need be. Once in cab cameras come in, trains will stop quite often.

[Chacal]

I'm all for security but sometimes people take it too far.
I mean the engineer knows what's coming up ahead on the tracks and the conductor can operate a brake.

[Rich_S]

Ok, let's stay away from the circling drain pipe...

Rich, you confirmed my suspicion that that box in the High Nose might be something related to the Speedo but not the actual speedo itself. Anyway, i'm not modeling that. I do have a question about the storm windows NW used. How do those things open? I'm assuming they slid past one another, but then again i've seen photos where you cant even see the side panes. I've read a lot about those windows, and studied the Google Patents on them all the way from when they were being used on steam locomotives, but there is not really information on their actual operation.

Yes, those all weather windows were a real PITA. I'm going by memory, as I think all of the short high hood GP40's have now been rebuilt? or let me put it this way, it's been at least four years since I've seen one where I work. The window panes did slide past each other, but only enough that half the window was open to the outside. Because of this arrangement, it seemed a lot of the all weather side windows were removed. You still had the standard cab side windows as well. From what I remember, it seems the front window had an arrangement allowing it to open slightly, kind of like the vents on the side of the locomotive cab. The thing I remember most about those all weather windows is, in the summer time they were like little green houses.


On a side note, Suzie's finished her Chemo Jan 21 and she is scheduled for her surgury tomorrow (Tues 2-10-15) Things have gone very well and I wish to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers.

[BillS]

Rich,

Best wishes and prayers for successful surgery tomorrow!

[NSrailfan6130]

Prayers to you and her Rich stay strong my friend

[JerryC]

My sentiments as well. Well wishes for your wife's health and prayers for the journey that both of your are on.

On the storm windows, I have left the OEM windows in as well, though they are set open at the beginning of the scenarios. I've read that the storm windows tended to lose panes, so the original windows were still needed.