I was curious if the reverser handle was the same as the throttle position handle, and having one handle for both functions would operate like a poor mans/cheap interlock…if you had to place the position in Idle to remove the handle, use the handle to select forward/reverse…and then change back to the throttle to increase power…would be a pain in the but for yard crews, though, wouldnt it…
Removing the reversing handle would certainly be a good way to prevent someone from accidently moving the engine…but keeping up with the actual handles would be a pain, I imagine. not as bad as if there were individual keys for each locomotive would be, of course…
Yes, the reverser handle is missing, but the gen field is switched on. Not the ideal way to leave the engine if you’re leaving it unattended, but not really harmful. As long as the reverser is out and the handbrakes are on, it isn’t going anywhere. It’s true that removing the reverser means that you need to carry a spare one with you, but they are made of plastic and just about every crew change point has a boxful of them somewhere, so you learn to carry one or two with you at all times just in case you can’t find one on the engine you just climbed up on. Removable reversers have been used since the beginning, but in the old days they were much bigger, made of metal, and each manufacturer had its own design, so the old head engineers used to have to carry about 30 pounds of different reversers wherever they went!
Also, the brake handles are removable too, but modern policy (at least on CSX, which this engine appears to belong to) has the brake handles permanently attached by metal pins, which is the meaning of that yellow sign saying “handle pinned, do not remove.” Another thing about the brake handle - see that wire dangling from the handle and draped over the alerter reset? It’s another pin, and is meant to be inserted in the automatic brake handle, locking it in the HO position (if the unit is in trail). This is so the handle can’t be moved by accident in the trailing loco.
I agree that the throttle/reverser/dynamic brake setup is awkward and counterintuitive (for example, if I want to make the engine go faster, I move the handle BACKWARDS toward notch 8, and if I want to slow down, I move the dynamic brake FORWARD toward notch 8, which is exactly the opposite of what your reflexes and PC game controls do). If I were to create a diesel today, I would do away with the reverser, make a bi-directional throttle so you would move the lever toward the front to go ahead and back
I’ve never had a problem with the way the control stand is set up. Unless you have an old one that that uses the power throttle for the dynamics (standard stand, not to be confused with the combined throttle/dynamic lever on the desk top) moving all the handles to the left will release brakes or increase power. Moving handles to the right will apply brakes or reduce power.
The desktop layout is similar, in that pulling the handles back release brakes or increase power. Pushing forward applies brakes or decreases power.
Didn’t the old FM switchers have a throttle like was described? Up was forward, down was reverse.
The current setup isn’t bad. To go, move the handles to the left. Increase throttle, release brakes. To stop, move handles to the right. Apply air, reduce throttle, apply dynamics, etc.
Aren’t the reverser handles plastic? If so, 30 pounds is a LOT. I remember on the SP magma local, they kept a spare handle in case one went ‘missing’ … the conductor carried it in his briefcase. IIRC, it was a yellow plastic thing.
It seems a lot of times, an “improvement” is only that in the mind of the designer. Usually someone who doesn’t work with it on a daily basis.
The people that actually use something are usually the last to be asked for opinions. When they are asked, it seems their opinions are given the least credibility.
Have you tried Graham-White? They make the “Salem” line of gauges and things, such as sander switches which is just exactly the same thing. But, quite frankly, why would you want one of the pieces of junk? I hate the things.
Maybe this is an oversimplification, but you might try one of the diesel locomotive rebuilders. Surely they have them available–for a price–or can send you to a resource that could give you the manufacturers name…Just a thought.[%-)]
Sometimes, when you ask “What time is it?”
The response you get is how to build a watch…[banghead]