chains csx locomotives

While stationed at Ft Drum,NY (Watertown), i went to local yard on weekends and saw a CSX GP? with a chain above the right rear truck/sideframe. What is this chain used for?
I did have a pic and sent into Trains magazine but never heard back.

Thanks

Tom

 

I think the chain is probably attached to the brake cylinder plunger on the truck sideframe, and when a brake lever is pulled or a brake wheel is turned, it tightens the chain and manually sets the brakes.

Just an educated guess..

 

Or maybe used to help break up ice build-up???

 

Many CSX locomtives are equipped with a chain mounted under the walkway on hooks. They can be used to pull cars off of sharp curves so that a coupling can be made. They can also be used to pull a car along an adjacent track, or to move a car that may have had a drawbar drop too low to couple to or had a drawbar fall out. Any number of possible uses.

 

thanks for that information rick. i was wondering what it was for and how i could model something like that.

tom

 

I think BnO Rick has your answer. I have seen the same.

Harold