Leave it to those ingenious Germans to devise the ultimate solution to those pesky motorists who always try to cheat common sense by driving around activated crossing gates…and forget the 'louder horns" approach…much better to simply shred them with the prop of Franz Krukenberg’s Schienenzeppelin, the ultimate head end crew safety device:
Actually the ultimate is grade crossing elimination.
Excellent idea. In addition to dealing with cars in the way, if the blades had variable pitch, the engine could supplement the air brakes proposed by CrazyDiamond.
I guess the vegematic patents have run out, so that wouldn’t be a problem either.
An even better picture:
http://www.bics.be.schule.de/son/verkehr/eisenbah/lok/vtwagen/image/lo_02_1v.jpg
It looks like the sides are brushed aluminum. Won’t that clash with all the little red spots it’s going to make?[}:)][:-,]
Shouldn’t , but definitely easier to clean! [(-D]
But it’s so much easier to wash off!
[:D]
Mabee they should NOT wa***hem off. Might send a message to those that need it. [}:)]
That prop would not have hit anything at a grade crossing. That was a pusher prop and was at the rear of the railcar.A prop like that mounted on the front of a Dash 9 would definately make a prospective Darwin award nominee think twice before trying something stupid[:o)].
I knows that…[swg] but then I couldn’t have used the topic to entertain you…does that make me a bad guy [%-)]
Then, when it becomes historic, the Orange Empire Railway Museum will need a Foreman of Propellor Locomotives [:)]!
Brings new meaning to “Big Blow Turbine!”
In memory of the old cow catchers, I think a fork lift front end would work well. Run extra long blades right under the car - between the wheels - and if you accidently fork 'em, oh well. We tried!
Mook