QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44 QUOTE: Originally posted by kfuztv Why does some locomotives have numberboards on the rear of it? It is not like it would travel backwards for long periods of time. They actually do travel backwards, especially with older models. When was the last time you saw an AC4400CW leading a 300000 car freight train backwards? Trainboy
QUOTE: Originally posted by kfuztv Why does some locomotives have numberboards on the rear of it? It is not like it would travel backwards for long periods of time.
Originally posted by dehusman Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub Reply Rodney Beck Member sinceMarch 2004 From: west central Illinois 417 posts Posted by Rodney Beck on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 8:35 AM Hi group my name is Rodney and I am a locomotive engineer. According to GCOR rule 5.11. Trains will be identified by initals and engine number, adding the direction when required. When an engine consists of more than one unit or when two or more engines are coupled, the number of the one unit only will be illuminated as the identifying number. When practica, use the leading unit. Reply BaltACD Member sinceMay 2003 From: US 25,276 posts Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 4:51 PM Wide body's will normally only operate in 'reverse' direction as a controlling engine for switching type moves. Most wide bodys are not equipped with ditch lights on the 'rear' end of the locomotive and without ditch lights they would have onerous restrictions when operating over highway crossings at grade. The socalled Safety Cab and the latest 'desk top' operating controls make it very difficult for an engineer to effectively and safely operate the locomotive in 'reverse' direction for more than switching moves. In DTC or Track Warrent territory there is an absolute need for trains to accurately identify the trains they are meeting, this identification is done by engine number and the engine numbers need to be easily read, no matter in which direction the locomotive is operating. Never too old to have a happy childhood! Reply tree68 Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Northern New York 25,009 posts Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:47 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44 QUOTE: Originally posted by kfuztv Why does some locomotives have numberboards on the rear of it? It is not like it would travel backwards for long periods of time. They actually do travel backwards, especially with older models. When was the last time you saw an AC4400CW leading a 300000 car freight train backwards? Trainboy Never say never - they'll run in both directions equally well. Just because the engineer might not be as comfortable doesn't mean they can't run engine long hood forward. 300000 cars? Now THAT'S a long train running. And we wonder why people run the gates.... 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... Reply trainboyH16-44 Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Mile 7.5 Laggan Sub., Great White North 4,201 posts Posted by trainboyH16-44 on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:20 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by kfuztv Why does some locomotives have numberboards on the rear of it? It is not like it would travel backwards for long periods of time. They actually do travel backwards, especially with older models. When was the last time you saw an AC4400CW leading a 300000 car freight train backwards? Trainboy Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296 Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/ Reply dehusman Member sinceSeptember 2003 From: Omaha, NE 10,621 posts Posted by dehusman on Thursday, February 3, 2005 6:10 PM The numbers are painted on the rear so if you approach the engine from that direction you can tell which one it is. There is no rule that requires an engine number on the leading end of an engine. Dave H. Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com Reply M636C Member sinceJanuary 2002 4,612 posts Posted by M636C on Thursday, February 3, 2005 5:12 PM Matthew, The number boards are usually the same, whether the headlight is placed between them or lower on the nose. It's just easier for the locomotive builder that way. Boards angled outward are much easier to see from the side, where most people needing to know the number are located. The train crew of an opposing train will either be in the cab of a loco in the siding or trackside checking for dragging equipment. These are the people who need to check loco numbers which might be specified in a train order. You would normally be instructed to "wait for train XXX with loco YYYY and then proceed", so you have to check that loco YYYY has passed, or you might be seeing a different train. Santa Fe had forward facing numbers on the PA-1s, and some E units, but gave the idea up later. On branch lines locomotives might travel backwards half the time! If there are no wyes or even turntables, the unit must be able to display numbers and headlights to the rear. Even UP paint numbers on the rear of their units, presumably so they can run backwards in an emergency. Peter Reply BNSF_GP60M Member sinceJuly 2006 From: BNSF MP968.3 in California 247 posts Posted by BNSF_GP60M on Thursday, February 3, 2005 4:13 PM Why does some locomotives have numberboards on the rear of it? It is not like it would travel backwards for long periods of time. Reply trainboyH16-44 Member sinceFebruary 2004 From: Mile 7.5 Laggan Sub., Great White North 4,201 posts Numberboards Posted by trainboyH16-44 on Thursday, February 3, 2005 4:00 PM Why do locos with a headlight on the nose have 2 numberboards on the cab, angled outwards, instead of one straight-on[?] Would it be something to do with night vision from the sides? If so, why not have them mounted like on the FT, with a third on the front? Matthew Hicks Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296 Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/ Reply Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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...
Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296
Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.