Kenyon_karl
New member
In running a train powered by a New Haven FL9 on the Harlem Line, I get diesel noises and smoke from the exhausts when the train is running in third rail territory. That particular locomotive (and there is also a Genesys (sp!) in both Amtrak and Metro-North color scheme) have the unique ability to shut down the diesel engine and instead draw power from the 600 volt DC third rail when the third rail is present.
On the real Harlem Line, its third rail from Grand Central Station to Southeast (formerly Brewster North), so that the diesels are fired up only from Southeast to Wassaic (sp?). On the Hudson River Line, both Amtrak and Metro North locomotive hauled trains run on third rail from their respective New York Terminals to Croton-Harmon, then fire up their diesels for the rest of the trip.
I suggest that the pantograph symbol be used in this instance to turn the diesel noises on and off!
I have a related complaint, straight electrics, such as streetcars, trams, and straight electric locomotives that draw their power from an overhead wire (or catenary) should not be able to start moving until its trolley pole or pantograph is raised. Note however that such trains should be able to COAST for a short distance with all of its pantographs down. For instance, I have watched an EMU train on the South Shore Line (Chicago to South Bend, IN) drop its pantographs just before passing across a movable bridge then raise them again after the train has cleared the bridge.
Note also on the Milwaukee Road scenerio, if you rotate the Little Joe straight electric on the turntable with its pantograph still up, the overhead wires ought to tear the pantograph off the roof of the locomotive. This is because in real life, the pantograph springs up to its full height in the open space between tracks!
On the real Harlem Line, its third rail from Grand Central Station to Southeast (formerly Brewster North), so that the diesels are fired up only from Southeast to Wassaic (sp?). On the Hudson River Line, both Amtrak and Metro North locomotive hauled trains run on third rail from their respective New York Terminals to Croton-Harmon, then fire up their diesels for the rest of the trip.
I suggest that the pantograph symbol be used in this instance to turn the diesel noises on and off!
I have a related complaint, straight electrics, such as streetcars, trams, and straight electric locomotives that draw their power from an overhead wire (or catenary) should not be able to start moving until its trolley pole or pantograph is raised. Note however that such trains should be able to COAST for a short distance with all of its pantographs down. For instance, I have watched an EMU train on the South Shore Line (Chicago to South Bend, IN) drop its pantographs just before passing across a movable bridge then raise them again after the train has cleared the bridge.
Note also on the Milwaukee Road scenerio, if you rotate the Little Joe straight electric on the turntable with its pantograph still up, the overhead wires ought to tear the pantograph off the roof of the locomotive. This is because in real life, the pantograph springs up to its full height in the open space between tracks!