I was wondering from many photos Ive seen that on SW7,1000,1200,1500 there is some kind of tarp on front or the engine that can be rolled up or down. What exactly is this tarp used for and why is it sometimes up and also down?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
Just a guess…I’d bet it’s a winter cover for the radiator, similar to what you see on 18 wheelers in the winter. It blocks the cold air from passing through the radiator and allows the engine to reach proper operating temperature.
Don Z.
I agree, but it was only used on early unitsm before they had built in shutters.
Down when it was cold, up when warm. Winter fronts up here in the Great White North.
Don, that’s exactly what they are, a winterizing cover to help the motor build and retain heat. The radiator can freeze even with the motor idling. I’ve had it happen to me while I was an over the road truck driver. You won’t even know it has happened until you put a load on the motor.
One way to tell if a SW (well, the early ones) have been converted much. Does it have a new radiator, or the old canvas and pole?
Phil
Looking at Google Images suggests that Conrail in particular was a big believer in tarps for its SW type switchers. A small dowel or wire with some rolled up aluminum foil, painted to look like dirty canvas, would be an effective way to model the tarp at least in the “up” position.
It reminds me that when I was a boy (we do not need to go into what years I speak of here do we?) people would put sheets of cardboard on the front grill of their cars during the winter.
Dave Nelson
Dave.
You can’t be that old, 'cause I can remember my dad doing that and then I did it back in the mid fifties when I got my first car. The trick was to just cover enough of the upper half of the radiator so that the engine temperature got warm enough to give enough warm water to the car heater. Back then in the middle of the winter it wasn’t unusual to wake up to -15* to -20* Farenheight here in Toronto and it took quite a while for the car to come up to a reasonably comfortable temperature for the drive to work.
By the way, I’m only 69 and except for Mr. Arthur Itis, I’m in pretty good health. Touch wood. [banghead] [(-D]
Blue Flamer.
BTW I believe it’s something added after-purchase by the railroads, it wasn’t (AFAIK?) a factory option.