Tell me what I saw today. About 5 miles from the home yard, a Dakota & Iowa train stopped and a D&I employee from a pickup got on the train. He went into all three locomotive cabs carrying something that from a distance looked like a crank for something. Then he went to the lead locomotive, SD40-2 #3025 and cranked something up and down on the left side of the hood about 20 times. What did I see?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
If you're talkng about the short hood. Sounds like he was tying the train down. I had to look up DAIR #3025. It does have a ratchet style hand brake.
IIRC when I use to work on Amtrak Genesis units they had a ratchet style brake toward the end of the carbody. Not a fan... I'll take a wheel style hand brake anyday..
What he might've been carrying could be the independent brake valve handle. They, and the automatic brake valve handle, are removable on the old 26 brake valves. Some independent handles are shaped like what looks like a crank handle. Just a guess.
Technicality. There is no Dakota and Iowa Railroad. Although everyone, including the UP on it's short line partners listing - and I'm just as guilty, call it that. There name is D&I Railroad, a division of the L. G. Everist, Inc. It's like the old I&M Raillink (IMRL), initials instead of actual specific names, that purchased and operated portions of the old Milwuakee Road. Trackage that eventually ended beign reaquired by the CP Rail System.
Jeff
jeffhergertWhat he might've been carrying could be the independent brake valve handle.
My first thought, as well.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
jeffhergert What he might've been carrying could be the independent brake valve handle. They, and the automatic brake valve handle, are removable on the old 26 brake valves. Some independent handles are shaped like what looks like a crank handle. Just a guess. Technicality. There is no Dakota and Iowa Railroad. Although everyone, including the UP on it's short line partners listing - and I'm just as guilty, call it that. There name is D&I Railroad, a division of the L. G. Everist, Inc. It's like the old I&M Raillink (IMRL), initials instead of actual specific names, that purchased and operated portions of the old Milwuakee Road. Trackage that eventually ended beign reaquired by the CP Rail System. Jeff
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