Pantograph Orientation on PRR E-44

[jwhitten]

On the Pennsylvania RR E-44 electric loco, is there a "correct" orientation for the pantograph-- ie. with the bent portion toward or away from the short hood?? I just noticed that in some pictures its shown one way and in other pictures its shown the other-- which is correct? If both are correct, why is there a difference? Why bother to rotate the thing at all?

[beaulieu]

E44s like all Electric Locomotives have two Pantographs. In the case of the E44 they are next to each other on the cab roof, with the "knee" facing outward from each other. There is a prefered orientation of the Pantograph, but they will operate satisfactorily with the knee leading or trailing.  If one becomes damaged they have a spare as long as when it became damaged it didn't bring down the contact wire.

[BaltACD]

Where there are more than one pantographs on a locomotive, it is prefered to have the trailing one raised in most cases.  Were the lead pantograph to be raised and snag on the wire or be otherwise  damaged, it is highly likely that the movement of the locomotive would cause the damaged lead pantograph to be carried into and damage the trailing pantograph.  If the trailing one is raised, and becomes damaged, movement will carry it away from the lead pantograph.

[jwhitten]

Ah-- that does explain it. Thanks!

[spikejones52002]

I asked that question to a Motorman on the C.S S. & S.B. We drove all types of there Motor units.

He told me that they always and he said always ran rear pan up. He said he would put up the front when there is ice to clean the ice, for the back pan, on the wire or the load is great and was not pulling enough power off the wire.

Problem with his "Always" is They are running all the trains with front up now.

[ndbprr]

I just noticed a misconception in your initial post.  There are two pantographs on an E44 with the elbows pointed toward either end not one that gets rotated.  I also just came back from the annual PRRT&HS convention and every picture shown used the pantograph with the elbow pointed forward in the direction of travel.  Bill Volkmer who was in charge of The E44s, GG1s and P5as at Enola said the E44 was the exception as far as front or rear pantograph.  Turns out the E44 always used the front pantograph so it could bounce down in the event of a hang up or problem.  if run the other way it would risk being torn off or fouling the catenary.