Roof mounted Air conditioning on NS

[sanvtoman]

I have noticed more and more NS 4 axle high and low nose units getting ac. Do these  ac units make much of a difference and did the unions have to give up something to get the ac? Thanx

[esprrfan]

They make a world of a difference. Sitting in a black unit under the sun with high humidity and no breeze is no picnic. Plus that way if your hit by a object thrown at you through a open window the co. can say you were at fault too because you had the window open.

[sanvtoman]

Thanx for your reply ESPRRFAN

[zugmann]

Those rooftop ACs can turn the cab into a meat locker real fast.  Now I'm always a fan (heh) of open windows vs. AC, but when you're stopped in the sun (in a black engine!) those ACs are great. 

 

 

[esprrfan]

Yeah you can't beat running with the windows open on a clear day in the mid 70's running on clears with the seat leaned back, not much chatter on the radio and a cool drink in your hand. Then you realize that your getting paid for this too!

[zugmann]

Funny you mentioned that...

My last trip I was coming back from the away terminal, looking forward to 2 days off, sunset trip, lightning bugs rising from the farmers' fields, nice quiet GEVO, AC turned on, both our windows wide open, quiet radio, clear block after clear block, only sounds are the electronic ting-ting-ting of the bell and screams from the horn, and I think I was echoing the thoughts of a few of the car drivers halted in their tracks by the candy-striped crossing gates:

"that guy has a cool job!"
 

Yep, for those few minutes, I agreed with them.  

 

 

[ArtOfRuin]

I thought railroads had problems with roof-mounted A/Cs leaking water, rusting, or failing often? Maybe the technology or quality has caught up?

[zugmann]

They still leak.  But on the whole, they seem to be pretty good.  NS is still putting them on all t he engines that get rebuilt...