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So how many MBTA locomotives does it take to push a caboose?
By adamg on Fri, 06/19/2015 - 11:42pm
A. 14. Videoed yesterday in Wilmington.
Via BostonUrbEx, who explains that only the last locomotive was actually providing power and that the caboose is one of just three left in the MBTA fleet.
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Comments
Why am I reminded of a bunch
Why am I reminded of a bunch of preschool kids tethered together to go for a walk?
How does a locomotive raise it's hand
So it can cross the road?
Great shot urbex
Any idea what they were doing?
Showing off all the locomotives killed by snow?
Or just those that still work?
Not my video
Credit for the video goes to Signal Hill Productions.
The units are being put into storage until bidding for sale. Most will likely be scrapped. Hopefully some find some life in a museum or museum operation.
What's the purpose of a caboose?
Cool video.
Caboose
The caboose allows work trains and extras to run in reverse for long distances. When running in reverse with cars, the conductor needs to be on the rear to radio track and signal conditions back to the engineer. This makes it much easier than hanging off the back of a hopper car. Also, most MBTA locomotives cannot be run in reverse strictly from the cab, as the engine bodies for most of the locomotives don't allow for rear cab windows. Someone would have to stand in front of the little port-hole window on the rear door assuming it was a locomotive only and no cars.
AFAIK, the caboose does not have a control stand. If it does, it functions just like a control car, and the engineer can operate the leading end of the move.
no control stand
It has no control stand. If it did then the cables that are on all of the passenger cars would also have to be on the MOW dump cars to work.
One good reason for the backup move is that there are not that many run around sidings.
If they came out on the single track to Wilmington Jct. to dump ballast for example they would have to go to PanAm's Lawrence Yard to run around the consist. Either that or tie up the interlocking at Lawrence Station using both of the main tracks to do so.
Correct about no control stand.
However, IIRC the conductor has a brake valve and a whistle to control the movement if necessary. The practice is referred to as "backing drafts", and was how trains were backed into North and South Stations in the era before the Buddliners and push-pull trainsets.
Did someone say CONGA?!?!
I some how thought this was more fitting... the remix!
Sorry Urb! I couldn't resist! *ducks*
The broken ditch light
on the caboose is a classic MBTA touch - I see that problem an average of twice a week with the cab cars on the trains I ride.
Lose the caboose,
Add a couple of cars and run it next February.
For explanation, these are
For explanation, these are the Screamers that have been pulled from service recently, mostly because they've gotten so old and have so many issues that it's hard to keep them running at all, and the T needs the resources to get the HSPs, Rotems, and K-car rebuilds in service. They're on their way to Billerica for storage, and will probably end up scrapped or sold to short lines.
Screamers
We should explain that "Screamers" is a familiar term given to these locomotives by those who know (and love?) them.
As early F40 models, they had to run in Notch-8, i.e. with the throttle wide open, in order to generate enough current to power both the motive power needs for the wheel traction motors, and the needs of the coaches for AC, lights, heat, etc. Most of the fleet will wind down when coasting or pulling into a station but the Screamers would always be wide open and loud.
The actual locomotive powering the move is a GenSet (generator set) locomotive. It is used primarily for yard moves and low speed maintenance moves such as this. Gensets are powered by 3 smaller diesel engines and as more electric current is needed, successive engines will kick in to supplement the need. Most of the time only 1 or 2 of the engines are actually operating for most needs. as such they represent a major savings in fuel and in emissions.
The technology is being developed to eventually be used to power passenger trains but it is not there as yet. Soon we hope...
That must be ...
one heavy caboose.
Anyone want to speculate what's in it?
Fat Cats
AKA Keolis executives.
$10 mill in the hole
Press has reported that Keolis is $10-million in the hole. The mother ship in France has been supplementing them. They claim the poor condition of the trains as left to them by their predecessor has been a main cause for the loss. The MBTA fines for not performing well is about 1/3 or more of that.
We should start a pool for when Keolis opts out of the contract.