There is a large wheel on the top of the locomotive, just behind the headlight. What is the purpose of the wheel for on the real engine?
Earl
Radio antenna, Earl
Mike S.
I never would have guessed that. It sure is an odd looking antenna.
Thanks for the reply.
Earl
Perhaps it was the style of the day? [;)] [:D] [(-D]
Are you sure it’s not a hand break? [?] It is right over the front axle.
Well Spankybird you could be right but I’ve always seen the part called a radio wheel.
So I’ve always thought it was a radio antenna. Maybe somebody can give us the definitive answer here.
Mike S.
They weren’t radios in 1950, it was Radio Telephones, short range.
It is a radio antenna, but not anything put on by EMD as original equipment. The hand brake is described in the operating manual (2303):
“The hand brake is located in the cab to the right of the rear cab door. The hand brake acts only on the rear pair of wheels of the No. 2 truck…”
Thanks Bob!!
If the link works, in the photo (second row, third from left) you should see a Southern Pacific GP9 with a “wagon wheel” type radio antenna mounted in the lower right just behind the red nose and offset slightly from center.
http://espee.railfan.net/picindex/gp09_detail/gr000000.html
There is also an image at
http://www.modeltrains.com/WEB%20-%20CMT/Overland%20Models/Parts/over-parts.htm
which shows detail parts, including radio antennas, for model trains. Scroll down to 9051 and left-click.
I think these sources are definitive that the wheel on the hood of some of Lionel’s NW2 switch engines is a radio (radio-telephone?) antenna, quite possibly designed by Dr. George Sinclair – which should impress the Buckeyes, at least.
http://www.sinctech.com/about.asp?i=28
…
By the way, for anyone who may have gotten his/her knickers in a twist a few days ago in a now-closed thread:
Right aka starboard aka dexter;
Left aka port aka sinister.
Broad, beautiful and tricky language, English!