How Long
- Thread starter hornbyOO
- Start date
It depends on the length of the loco, but I'd say a few minutes at least.
Thanks of course the length counts, but I wondered about how long the procedure to change command from either one end of diesel to the other, or in the case of multiple headers from one diesel to another would take.
Do they have to shutdown/restart, switching controls on 2nd/3rd diesel to command diesel etc etc
thanks
well on north american mu'd units, no you don't have to shut down. if anything, on the railroads i'm familiar with, the main engine/generator is NEVER shut down other then when neccessary for maintainence. mostly, or so i was told back in the 60s, so i'm not so sure if this still applies, because it takes more fuel and external energy imput to restart them, typical north american diesel electrics, which is what the overwhelming majority of our class one long haul freight power, and even switching (shunting) power are, then it does, or did, to simply keep them running.
basically what is done is to take the contorl systems of the currently leading unit off line, turn off the control switches in the current/old lead unit. remove the break lever, which is on our locomotives, in that sense like the ignition key on your car, set things like brake equipment and so in the lap/trailing position, go to the cab at the other end and reverse this proceedure there, and depending on individual railroads book of rules and inspection proceedures, you're all set to go.
it does take a few minuets, but certainly less then fifteen or twenty. probably about as long, more or less, as that cup of coffee or taking a pee.
that is, as long as everything goes right and there's no fault indications. which in turn, the probability of which depends quite a bit on the age in service of the oldest units in the consist.
=^^=
.../\...
ah here it is, as an example, quoting section 3-32 in the gp 59/60 operator's manual:
ON END BEING CUT OUT (previously leading unit):
1. move automatic brake valve handle to sercvice powition and make a 20 pound reduction
2. after brake pipe exaust stops, place cut-off valve in OUT position by pushing knob in and turning to the desired position.
3. Set indiependent brake handle in fully released position
4 Set multiple unit valve in TRAIL or in CLOSED IN TRAIL postition as indicated at the valve handle
5 Position the automatic brake valve handle in the handle off position
6 With dynamic brake handle in OFF position and throttle in IDLE, set the reverser handle in neutral position, then remove it to lock the controls
7 Set all switches in the off position. Be absolutle certain that the control and fuel pump switch, generator field switch, and engine run switch are in the off possition
8 At the engine control panel, set headlight control switch in proper position for trailing unit operation. Place other switches on as needed
9 At the circuit breaker panels, all circuit breakers in the blsck areas are to remain in the on position.
10. After completing the operations outlined in the preceeding steps, move to the cab of the new lead unit.
ON THE END BEING CUT IN:
1 At the control stand, make certian the generator field switch is off
2 Insert reverser handle and leave in the neutral position
3 Set automatic brake valve handle in suppression position to nullify any safety contro9l, overspeed, or train control used.
4 Insert independent brake valve handle (if removed) and move handle to full independent application position
5 Position cut-off valve to IN position. On units equipped with a three position cut off valve, positon the valve to either FRT or Pass, depending on make up of train
6 Set dual ported cutout cock in OPEN IN LEAD or DEAD position
7 At the circuit breaker panels, make sure that all circuit breakers in the black areas are itn the on position
8 At the engine control panel, set the headlight control swithch in the proper position, and set other switches on as needed
9 Set the engine run, control and fuel pump and generator field switch in on position. Other switches may be set on as needed
-------
and there you go. i'll let someone else who'se done it (which, i, never having been in engine service haven't) give an estimate of approximately how long that takes.
but remember, if this is in the middle of his her shift, and hasn't had a chance to use the 'little room', i think they might have every right and need to do so, in addition to whatever time the proceedure itself actually takes.
depending on the length and nature of the line and the run, this might be something the main line engine person seldom themselves actually has to do. on road switching 'turns' on the other hand, obviosly at least one reversal of opperating ends is involved.
=^^=
.../\...
basically what is done is to take the contorl systems of the currently leading unit off line, turn off the control switches in the current/old lead unit. remove the break lever, which is on our locomotives, in that sense like the ignition key on your car, set things like brake equipment and so in the lap/trailing position, go to the cab at the other end and reverse this proceedure there, and depending on individual railroads book of rules and inspection proceedures, you're all set to go.
it does take a few minuets, but certainly less then fifteen or twenty. probably about as long, more or less, as that cup of coffee or taking a pee.
that is, as long as everything goes right and there's no fault indications. which in turn, the probability of which depends quite a bit on the age in service of the oldest units in the consist.
=^^=
.../\...
ah here it is, as an example, quoting section 3-32 in the gp 59/60 operator's manual:
ON END BEING CUT OUT (previously leading unit):
1. move automatic brake valve handle to sercvice powition and make a 20 pound reduction
2. after brake pipe exaust stops, place cut-off valve in OUT position by pushing knob in and turning to the desired position.
3. Set indiependent brake handle in fully released position
4 Set multiple unit valve in TRAIL or in CLOSED IN TRAIL postition as indicated at the valve handle
5 Position the automatic brake valve handle in the handle off position
6 With dynamic brake handle in OFF position and throttle in IDLE, set the reverser handle in neutral position, then remove it to lock the controls
7 Set all switches in the off position. Be absolutle certain that the control and fuel pump switch, generator field switch, and engine run switch are in the off possition
8 At the engine control panel, set headlight control switch in proper position for trailing unit operation. Place other switches on as needed
9 At the circuit breaker panels, all circuit breakers in the blsck areas are to remain in the on position.
10. After completing the operations outlined in the preceeding steps, move to the cab of the new lead unit.
ON THE END BEING CUT IN:
1 At the control stand, make certian the generator field switch is off
2 Insert reverser handle and leave in the neutral position
3 Set automatic brake valve handle in suppression position to nullify any safety contro9l, overspeed, or train control used.
4 Insert independent brake valve handle (if removed) and move handle to full independent application position
5 Position cut-off valve to IN position. On units equipped with a three position cut off valve, positon the valve to either FRT or Pass, depending on make up of train
6 Set dual ported cutout cock in OPEN IN LEAD or DEAD position
7 At the circuit breaker panels, make sure that all circuit breakers in the black areas are itn the on position
8 At the engine control panel, set the headlight control swithch in the proper position, and set other switches on as needed
9 Set the engine run, control and fuel pump and generator field switch in on position. Other switches may be set on as needed
-------
and there you go. i'll let someone else who'se done it (which, i, never having been in engine service haven't) give an estimate of approximately how long that takes.
but remember, if this is in the middle of his her shift, and hasn't had a chance to use the 'little room', i think they might have every right and need to do so, in addition to whatever time the proceedure itself actually takes.
depending on the length and nature of the line and the run, this might be something the main line engine person seldom themselves actually has to do. on road switching 'turns' on the other hand, obviosly at least one reversal of opperating ends is involved.
=^^=
.../\...
Last edited:
I've never done it myself, but I would like to add that the newer eco-friendly units by General Electric and General Motors can be shutdown to conserve fuel. From what I understand, one of the reasons for keeping the engines idling all the time was due to the climate. In the northern areas, the diesel needs to run in order to keep the engine from seizing up from the cold, making it diffult if not impossible to start. The newer engines have some kind of plug that allows the operator to plug the engine into an electrical outlet. This has some kind of coil on it to keep the engine warm so this mitigates the situation and allows for fuel savings.
John
John