Inside an Electric Loco Cab

[Alan]

This is the control desk of a Belgian class 11 electric locomotive

http://www.trainweb.org/alanseurogallery/1187controls.jpg

The speedo shows 130kph. No, that is not a steering wheel :D The wheel is turned clockwise in notches to increase the amount of power taken from the overhead catenary. The lever to the right of the driver's hand is the brake, usually operated with the thumb! This locomotive was very quiet and smooth to ride. A very exciting experience smile.gif This is the locomotive we rode

http://www.trainweb.org/alanseurogallery/SNCB1187.jpg

[ 28 December 2001: Message edited by: Alan ]

[Telegrapher]

Alan. Real nice photos. How did you get inside the cab?? :confused:

[Ben]

I expect he climbed the steps and went through the door; how else would you get in, through the window?

Ben

[Alan]

We were on a railtour, organised by ADL (http://homepage.virgin.net/adl.tours/index.htm) a British company. Been in lots of cabs on these trips, as SNCB are very accommodating. You can usually ride from stop to stop, then change over with the next folks in the 'queue'.

That electric locomotive was the quietest ride I had, the noisiest (by a large margin) was an American EMD-built F7 look-alike :eek: How anyone could do a full shift in one of those amazes me!! In run 8 they are deafening :eek:

[ 26 February 2001: Message edited by: Alan ]

[Telegrapher]

Ben. I know that. What I wanted to know was what authority he had as in the states strangers are usually not allowed in the cabs of engines because of Insurance problems. tongue.gif

[Ben]

Do-oooh! I know that; it was a joke! Do any Americans have a sense of humour? Has sarcasm crossed the Atlantic yet? Doesn't look like it.

Ben

[CP&E 3207]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
the noisiest (by a large margin) was an American EMD-built F7 look-alike :eek: How anyone could do a full shift in one of those amazes me!! In run 8 they are deafening :eek:
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

have you rode in a BL-2??? One I rode in last fall. It was built in '48, and had just come from a resting spot (for 10+ years :eek: ) not far from here and runs fairly quiet. The engine was so rusty, the jointed rails looked better ;) .It must have been a unit built under contract in the UK with licencing agreements from EMC (in those days it was EMC, was changed later in the mid -late 50's to EMD) So, It may have an identical type in the US, doesn't mean it was American built. (unless it says on the builder's plate) You actually might be commenting on a non-American product ;) (just said in fun :D )

[ 27 February 2001: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]

[Alan]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by A&A 6183:
You actually might be commenting on a non-American product

[ 27 February 2001: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope! The Belgian driver proudly showed us the GM builder's plate, 1950-something, I think. Belgian and other European railways had quite a lot of these locomotives.

[DaveCN5710]

Very unique photos Alan smile.gif

steering wheel :D

I never seen a steering wheel on a Locomotive before :D Just kidding , thats a very interesting thing to get your power from .

[ 28 February 2001: Message edited by: Davecn5623 ]