Windsields on locomotives

[locoi1sa]

  Hi Gang

    Do the windshields get pitted and scrached like the trucks do? How often do windsields get replaced on locos?  We probably replace the glass on our tractors every year. Although hauling sand and gravel every day doesnt help. The newer urethaned glass is a pain in the butt to change out compared to the older rubber mounted glass. The rubber mount glass I can change out in an hour the urethaned glass takes up to three and needs over night to cure. Newer is not always better.

    Pete
 

[Namerifrats]

Usually they only get scratched by train crews that put their nasty boots on in the window while sleeping and the dirt on the boots scratch it or else you'll have some moron trying to scrape ice off the windshield (usually shop people) with an improper tool and it gets so scratched up you can't see. They don't get replaced much as far as I know. I've had several you can hardly see through and get the same engine weeks later and it's the same way. Our windows have a glazing on them designed to stop smaller caliber bullets and inpacts from rocks or bricks etc. So that stuff helps prevent small chips.

[morseman]

Do any locomotives still have grills over the windows.      Haven't seen any on Amtrak for a long time.

[Anonymous]

I think better law enforcement(ie catching the sobs) did a lot on this issue.

rgds ign

[Anonymous]

ps saw a bunch of ads for auto windshields in the junk mail ads here.

rgds ign

[ArtOfRuin]

Do any locomotives still have grills over the windows.      Haven't seen any on Amtrak for a long time.

MBTA Commuter Rail uses the grilles over the windshields of their locomotives and cab-control cars. It's an anti-vandalism measure.

[locoi1sa]

  Thanks guys. I figured they use the same cheap glass as the big trucks but a closer look confirmed that the locos glass is much thicker and looks to be triple laminated.

    Pete