As I drove to work yesterday I was in a preheated car. The radio was on and I was sitting on electric bun warmers cranked up to burnt toast setting. Other than heat/AC and maybe a padded seat, what creature comforts do the folks in a locomotive enjoy?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Our MLW RS-18u's have a small refrigerator and a microwave. As I recall, hot plates (or other methods for heating water) are required in Canadian locomotives.
I don't know about modern power, but otherwise, yeah, heat (A/C? Open a window!) and a padded seat pretty much sums it up.
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...
Canadians can be somewhat better off, as they get hotplates/microwaves and some other amenities.
There is certainly a burnt-toast setting on some sidewall heaters, but I'll let the railroaders comment there, now that this isn't a required family-friendly environment any more with the current crop of mandatory ads.
There is no entertainment radio -- no entertainment electronics at all -- by combination of rules. Much of that is nominally "safety" concerned, using the same rules that send you to suspension in school if your mom put an aspirin in your backpack. See the issue of naps in a reclining seat when waiting 6 hours for opposing traffic to clear, with no entertainment, no books, etc.
Any amenities 'historically' left on locomotives were often subject to a combination of wear, abuse, and vandalism for, let's say, an interesting variety of reasons. Only recently have we gotten to the point where 110V 60Hz power can be reliably provided in a locomotive cab for enginemen to plug in their own devices (there was a market at one point for things that would run on 74VDC).
Overmod Only recently have we gotten to the point where 110V 60Hz power can be reliably provided in a locomotive cab for enginemen to plug in their own devices (there was a market at one point for things that would run on 74VDC).
Only recently have we gotten to the point where 110V 60Hz power can be reliably provided in a locomotive cab for enginemen to plug in their own devices (there was a market at one point for things that would run on 74VDC).
Kind of a shame that the 74VDC appliance market wasn't a bit larger as it would have been a great standard for an off-grid DC house.
As for ads, my experience with this site improved tremendously when I flipped the "https only" switch on Firefox settings.
Getting back to the thread topic: I've run across several mentions of an OSHA regulation limiting time spent in high temperature environments, which suggests that A/C is a "must have".
CN didn't get air conditioning on new locomotives until the mid-2000s, I think the last order of Dash-9s were our first units to come with it. Most of the secondhand Dash-8s and SD60s had A/C and a small number of older CN units have been retrofitted with it.
CP power has a fridge and hot plate, CN gets a microwave as well. We got the ammenites as a part the deal that allowed extended run/double sub crew districts, and we also lost the right to stop the train to eat at around the same time.
The strip heaters are pretty good at heating up canned food, but I wouldn't want to try toast or sandwiches on them (it's pretty filthy down there). Aluminum foil wrapped sandwiches toast quite nicely on the hot plate.
The hot plate uses 74vDC, but as far as I can tell our fridges and microwaves have always used 110vAC, the older ones just tend to have a round locking plug instead of a standard North American household one. Newer units have both a 74vDC outlet and some standard househould wall outlets, and the inverter module usually has a couple right on it. Not to mention some USB ports right on the computer screens. All the better for the mechanical guys to plug in their laptops when troubleshooting the thing.
I've heard that a lot of older household coffee pots and cookers would run just fine on 74vDC, and during the pre-outlet days some guys would adapt them with alligator clips so they could run off the main battery switch.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Latrine? Running water?
Chemical toilets (like on a Greyhound bus) and bottles or cups of drinking water have been the standard for some time. CN tried putting fold down sinks in the toilet room for a while back in the 1990s but it didn't catch on, though they are still in place on the units that were delivered with them.
We also get 'crewpacks', little sealed plastic bags of sanitary supplies. The cheapest wet wipes, paper towels and wads of toilet paper anyone has ever seen.
SP had some flush style toilets that needed a water supply. The ones I remember seeing were on their wide nose modern engines. They placed the water supply tank in the outer, unheated, entry way room in the outer nose. So they needed tank warmers.
UP gradually changed them out to regular pump flush chemical toilets. Which have their own problems at times. (Nothing like opening the door to the toilet compartment, sometimes even outside the door in the main cab, and seeing blue - or whatever color the chemical used is - all over the floor.)
We no longer have refrigerators. (Some are still used with ice, the power having been disconnected.) We have ice boxes, which wouldn't be a bad thing if they had been designed better. Everyone who doesn't use them, company and union, signed off on them to replace the refrigerators. We used to have 5 gallon, styrofoam lined ice buckets. (Made by Life-Like Products, the same that used to make model railroad items.) These worked great. They were deemed a safety hazard, that they were in the way when moving around or through the cab.
I and many others, carry coolers. I have an Igloo, but I've seen a lot of (IIRC) Rubbermaid coolers that say Norfolk Southern on them.
The once called comfort cabs are less so. With the return of the side control stand, it takes up a lot of room. That wouldn't be so much of a problem, but the latest third seat design on ours gets placed where it's in the way of everything when it's folded up. When unfolded for use, it's way more in the way. I call it a Murphy Bed (No offense Murphy Siding) because that's what it reminds me of.
Air Conditioning and Heating can run "hot and cold." It seems to go in streaks. Some years the HVAC works as intended for the season. Some A/C cool the cab enough to hang meat. Some heaters will cook you out. Other years the preponderance of units will work halfway. Thank God for sidewall heaters, sometimes that's the only heat being produced. GE sidewalls are better than EMD sidewalls. GE's have a medium and high setting. EMD's have an on/off switch and usually don't get as warm as a GE. A few of the first orders of UP SD70m engines didn't have them. The natives got restless and complained, and now all new engines since have had them.
Tinfoil goes along way in toasting on the sidewalls, too.
Jeff
To many extents the carriers view T&E personnel as 'creatures' rather than human beings.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
One of our F units (probably both, but I generally run one of them for Polar) was heated with engine coolant, which meant getting warm in the cab took a while. That unit was replaced with an electric heater, which is much nicer...
The RS18u's have both sidewall and whatever they are called heaters. Keeping warm in them isn't usually a problem... As I mentioned, though, air conditioning is an open window.
tree68The RS18u's have both sidewall and whatever they are called heaters. Keeping warm in them isn't usually a problem... As I mentioned, though, air conditioning is an open window.
Blowers? Has to be pretty cold (or have a broken sidewall) for me to use those. They are good at making more noise than heat.
AC I can take or leave. Most of ours don't work that well and rattle horribly.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
zugmann tree68 The RS18u's have both sidewall and whatever they are called heaters. Keeping warm in them isn't usually a problem... As I mentioned, though, air conditioning is an open window. Blowers? Has to be pretty cold (or have a broken sidewall) for me to use those. They are good at making more noise than heat. AC I can take or leave. Most of ours don't work that well and rattle horribly.
tree68 The RS18u's have both sidewall and whatever they are called heaters. Keeping warm in them isn't usually a problem... As I mentioned, though, air conditioning is an open window.
When I was spending time on the ground, in yard and industrial forms of switching - the Engineer had his window open and he head out the window with little regard to the kind of weather that was being experienced as he needed to see hand signals from those guiding his movements on the ground. Back then the ONLY form of A/C was the open window.
A lot of us still do that.
BaltACD the Engineer had his window open and he head out the window with little regard to the kind of weather that was being experienced as he needed to see hand signals from those guiding his movements on the ground.
Also necessary if you're trying to get a train up a +/- 1% hill in the fall when the rails are covered with leaves - so you can hear if an axle takes off on you.
tree68Also necessary if you're trying to get a train up a +/- 1% hill in the fall when the rails are covered with leaves - so you can hear if an axle takes off on you.
Now if that happens PTC will just enforce you the instant the speedo pegs.
jeffhergert That wouldn't be so much of a problem, but the latest third seat design on ours gets placed where it's in the way of everything when it's folded up. When unfolded for use, it's way more in the way. I call it a Murphy Bed (No offense Murphy Siding) because that's what it reminds me of.
zugmann tree68 Also necessary if you're trying to get a train up a +/- 1% hill in the fall when the rails are covered with leaves - so you can hear if an axle takes off on you. Now if that happens PTC will just enforce you the instant the speedo pegs.
tree68 Also necessary if you're trying to get a train up a +/- 1% hill in the fall when the rails are covered with leaves - so you can hear if an axle takes off on you.
Back when we had the first version of LEADER, it would freak out when the Automatic Train Control was self-tested. Since ATC has a speed component, in self testing mode it drives the speedometer up to the preset speeds. LEADER didn't like that, but it couldn't give a penalty application.
Although when operating with PTC we don't use cab signals, lead engines still have to be equipped and have passed a departure test in case the PTC fails. I can't recall PTC doing anything when self testing. Although I usually test the cabs/ATC first (if needed) before initializing PTC.
jeffhergertI can't recall PTC doing anything when self testing. Although I usually test the cabs/ATC first (if needed) before initializing PTC.
Our LSLs do the speed test thing, but they have their own speedometer on the LSL box on our engines.
It has been a long time since I was invited into a Cab, and I have never Worked as a T/E employee.
Is there any 12 volt access in a locomotive?
If so the 12V appliances from Road Pro are Very Good, and reasonably priced
I have, and have used the cooker that looks like a lunch box, I wrap burritos and chimichangas in foil and cook them in that. I also have, and use the 2.5 qt sauce pot, which I cook beef stew, chili, clam chowder or soups in. I have but haven't used yet, their crock pot, frying pan, roasting pan,and coffee maker
If 12V is available, these would offer many options for hot meals. I have eaten many hot meals, at out of the way places using them
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Some of our engines have an outlet for company-provided laptops (according to the sticker).
That's pretty much it.
zugmann Some of our engines have an outlet for company-provided laptops (according to the sticker). That's pretty much it.
Are those 12V or 120V outlets?
You would need a 15 amp/ 12V outlet, I wouldn't bet on 10 amp or less not blowing a fuse/tripping a breaker
120, probably. If they're not 74V like most other things on an engine. I'm not sure.
Don't forget - all those cooking accessories sound nice in theory, but you have the carry that stuff. Every day. On top of all the other stuff you have to carry.
zugmann120, probably. If they're not 74V like most other things on an engine. I'm not sure. Don't forget - all those cooking accessories sound nice in theory, but you have the carry that stuff. Every day. On top of all the other stuff you have to carry.
When did NS stop handing out 'dooty bags' for #2?
zugmann120, probably. If they're not 74V like most other things on an engine. I'm not sure.
I'd imagine 120 VAC. One inverter is probably cheaper than the appliances, and if an appliance breaks, you can run to the local department store and get a new one.
You could pull 12VDC off the batteries, but IIRC, there could be a surge issue pulling the juice off just one battery in the bank.
I wasn't sure if 12V outlets were available in a locomotive, or if you would even be allowed to use these, but they would offer inexpensive options for meal prep.
They are available at most truck stops. I originally got the lunchbox cooker for hot meals on the boat, Salmon Fishing. I got it with fuel points, not expecting much, and was Pleasantly Surprised, at how well made it is, and how well it works
Time marched on, things changed, I ha been doing a lot of sleeper work, and have added pretty much the rest of the collection, again mainly with fuel points, but I have come to appreciate these appliances
Maybe some in T/E service can use them, unfortunately more don't see the many ways that Trucks and Rails can work TOGETHER, each industry has it's advantages, and disadvantages, inter-industry cooperation is getting better, but there is sstill a Lot of room for improvement I "Get" that this is a Rail based site, but some of the hostility towards trucking is one of the reasons that I left the site for awhile, that and other interests demanding time as well
I see Shadow is still here, and seems to have gained some respect
challenger3980 I "Get" that this is a Rail based site, but some of the hostility towards trucking is one of the reasons that I left the site for awhile, that and other interests demanding time as well
I always saw the opposite, but I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
The major issue is still how much you want to carry around with you - esp the road guys.
zugmann No doudt, both sides had issues, being a rail centric site, definitely more on the rail side, and perspective plays a part The lunchbox cooker is pretty compact it holds up to 3 small burritos, the 2.5qt sauce pot would be more compact if the handle was folding or removable, but still fairly compact, and a guy would only take whichever one he would be using a particular day or trip. Being a "Pool Driver " now, I am not assigned a truck, and work different locations frequently, I understand not being able to leave things in the cab, I do miss having an assigned tractor, but my dedicated account closed, such is life Anyhow, my intent was to maybe suggest options some weren't aware of, hopefully some will find some use, if not I tried to help Doug challenger3980 I "Get" that this is a Rail based site, but some of the hostility towards trucking is one of the reasons that I left the site for awhile, that and other interests demanding time as well I always saw the opposite, but I guess it depends from one's perspective. The major issue is how much you want to carry around with you - esp the road guys.
No doudt, both sides had issues, being a rail centric site, definitely more on the rail side, and perspective plays a part
The lunchbox cooker is pretty compact it holds up to 3 small burritos, the 2.5qt sauce pot would be more compact if the handle was folding or removable, but still fairly compact, and a guy would only take whichever one he would be using a particular day or trip. Being a "Pool Driver " now, I am not assigned a truck, and work different locations frequently, I understand not being able to leave things in the cab, I do miss having an assigned tractor, but my dedicated account closed, such is life
Anyhow, my intent was to maybe suggest options some weren't aware of, hopefully some will find some use, if not I tried to help
I always saw the opposite, but I guess it depends from one's perspective.
The major issue is how much you want to carry around with you - esp the road guys.
Sorry about replying in the quotebox above, using my phone, and that doesn't always work out so well
challenger3980I "Get" that this is a Rail based site, but some of the hostility towards trucking is one of the reasons that I left the site for awhile, that and other interests demanding time as well
Some folks seem to thrive in such an "us vs them" world. Give 'em an inch, and they'll take a mile, as they say.
tree68 Some is no doubt due to not understanding another industry. My childhood dream job was Locomotive Engineer. I always knew that I would be involved in transportation, Rail being my preferred choice, I grew up on the Columbia River, near Portlan, OR and Tug and Barge was also a strong interest. I Graduated from high school in 1983, the railroad's had people furloughed, and weren't hiring, I was never able to find out how to get involved in Tug and Barge work, and I pretty much fell into a Good job driving in Food service, 33 years later, still moving freight, just not restauran supplies anymore Around 1981, I met a local crew, in Troutdale, OR, I was invited to join them, they kept inviting me back, and I went out many times with them. One day, after clearing the main, Al stopped and had me take his seat, and supervised me operating a GP38-2, until we got to the Reynolds Aluminum plant, didn't think it was a good idea for anyone to see me in his seat, so he took the controls back It was a memorable experience, and my time with that crew reinforced my ambition to work for UP, but my timing was bad, and life took me another direction That crew told me about what Life was really like working the rails, but pretty much every fie job in transportation has it's sacrifices. Doug challenger3980 I "Get" that this is a Rail based site, but some of the hostility towards trucking is one of the reasons that I left the site for awhile, that and other interests demanding time as well Some folks seem to thrive in such an "us vs them" world. Give 'em an inch, and they'll take a mile, as they say.
Some is no doubt due to not understanding another industry. My childhood dream job was Locomotive Engineer. I always knew that I would be involved in transportation, Rail being my preferred choice, I grew up on the Columbia River, near Portlan, OR and Tug and Barge was also a strong interest.
I Graduated from high school in 1983, the railroad's had people furloughed, and weren't hiring, I was never able to find out how to get involved in Tug and Barge work, and I pretty much fell into a Good job driving in Food service, 33 years later, still moving freight, just not restauran supplies anymore
Around 1981, I met a local crew, in Troutdale, OR, I was invited to join them, they kept inviting me back, and I went out many times with them.
One day, after clearing the main, Al stopped and had me take his seat, and supervised me operating a GP38-2, until we got to the Reynolds Aluminum plant, didn't think it was a good idea for anyone to see me in his seat, so he took the controls back
It was a memorable experience, and my time with that crew reinforced my ambition to work for UP, but my timing was bad, and life took me another direction
That crew told me about what Life was really like working the rails, but pretty much every fie job in transportation has it's sacrifices.
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