Dead man Switch

[Anonymous]

Picture of cab interior showed large red round foot pedal.Is that a dead man switch or /and must the engineer keep a foot on it?Do all roads use one?

[kenneo]

Make your "switch" read "peddle" and you have the answer. Two methods of operation - first, peddle must be depressed for brakes to remain released; -second, peddle must be depressed and released a given number of times within a given time frame for the brakes to remain released.

First method was how it started, but a crewman could weigh or tie the peddle down and in that way nullify its function. So, the second way. Silly engineer/motorman must now stay awake and pay attention.

[Anonymous]

....every hogger always had a brick in his grip.
[:)]

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by foureasy

Picture of cab interior showed large red round foot pedal.Is that a dead man switch or /and must the engineer keep a foot on it?Do all roads use one?

what type of loco cab are you talking about..becouse if its a -8 or -9 widebody or any wide body EMD..the switch is a switch..not a dead man pettle...the dead man pettle has been on its way out for a long time now..and less and less power is equiped with this system..... now it is all with an alerter system..a flashing light and loud sound that is reset by hiting a button or wisker switch....
but back to the big red round foot peddle in question...... on some railroads..that is used to agknowage the cab signals..and others it is used to activate the horn for a preset horn seqeance..such as the 14-L. (crossing signal)....
csx engineer