Curiosities about some details of the locomotives

[nicola86]

Hello; I bought the CP ES44AC and the CSX ES44AC-H; out of curiosity, I wanted to know what the nozzle indicated in the green box is (which I noticed is only present on the CSX ES44AH) and the thin cable in the orange box that I noticed is only present on the CP ES44AC. Also, what would be the function of the 6 thin cables (in pairs of 3) present on every American locomotive?

Some time ago I bought the SD40T-2 SP (Ph2a) and in the description on the website there were two types, one "Locotrol Master" and the other "Locotrol Slave", abbreviated under the side windows of the cabin with "M" and "S": is there an explanation?

 

[norfolksouthern37]

Sure thing.

Above is a battery charging receptacle.

This one is the ECP-4200 Junction Box. ECP is Electronically Controlled Pneumatic brake. This is often used on coal and other unit trains. You can see details of that system here.

The 3 hoses that are duplicate on each side of the coupler are also for brake systems. They interconnect the main reservoirs, the independent brakes, and the actuating reservoirs of the locomotives. Some of them may have a label over the hoses with MR ACT and A&R. These are the basic air connections that must be made between units to operate them as one. Any electronic signals will move over the large red or yellow cable between units.

As for the SP SD40T-2s: Locotrol is a radio system that allows remote control of additional pushing locomotives in the train like mid-train helpers. They would have different radio equipment in each locomotive depending on it's position. It was actaully "M" for the controlling units and "R" for the receivers intended to be placed further back in the train. Controlling this receiver would of course control any unit MU'd to it as well. The "M" units will have different cab equipment.

Unfortunately, there isn't a real good basis for simulating any of these details currently in Trainz. They exist simply as visual details in our simulator.

 

[nicola86]

Thank you NS37!