Those connectors on the end of the locomotive?

[Anonymous]

On both ends of a locomotive are cables and hoses. It seems like 6 or 7 is a rather common number of cables/ hoses. Now I realize one will be for the air brakes. One will be for the multiple cab controls. What are the rest for?

Hope someone can help explain.

[csxengineer98]

thier are 6 air hoses for MUing..and 1 big one for brake pipe.... for a total of 7...but to MU a locomotive..you only need to lace up 3 of the 6 smaller ones..and the big one in the middle.... the other 3 are for redudancy....should one of the hoses have a bad gladhand or what ever...you can lace up one of the others on the other side and still beable to MU units together....
csx engineer

[mvlandsw]

The extra ones also ensure that they can be connected if the loco is turned around. If they were only on one side they would not match up when the loco is facing in the opposite direction because the MU hoses are not long enough to reach to the other side.

[BR60103]

If you're looking at passenger locomotives there will be a socket for the electric supply to the coaches. Older passenger units will have an extra pipe under the coupling for steam heat. Also may have a connector for a train signal, but I'm not sure where.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103

If you're looking at passenger locomotives there will be a socket for the electric supply to the coaches. Older passenger units will have an extra pipe under the coupling for steam heat. Also may have a connector for a train signal, but I'm not sure where.

i didint bother to mention the jumper cables...but yea..thier is also a big cable that has to be pluged also...
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

-Independent Actuating
-Independent Release
-Main Reservoir
=Trainline Air=
-Main Reservoir
-Independent Release
-Independent Actuating

In Addition:
-M/U Cable from lead unit receptacle to trail unit receptacle-
-Safety Chains-

[mvlandsw]

Older engines with air operated sand control for trailing units had two additional hoses on each side. They were for sand foward and sand reverse. This is now done electrically through the jumper cable.