Questions, Answers & Tips - 3
instant-on, and electronic control has saved millions in fuel
costs. Better to start and run the diesel instead of idling it for
hours while the compressor is not cycling. In the late seventies
I pulled frozen foods out of Ohio and could burn up about 60
to 70 gallons of fuel just for the reefer in a 24-hour day. These
new units would take a week to burn that much and still keep
the load frozen.
– Pete
Read the whole thread, including Chris's sound experiments,
at:
.
More discussion about the Athearn sound-equipped refrigera-
tor cars:
More discussion about old and new mechanical reefers:
Q.
Now that I can use the DCC decoder to control headlights on
my locomotives, how do I use them? When should the lights be
on, dim, or off?
A.
You didn't say when and where, but here are the Union Pacific
rules from 1972. Rules on other railroads may vary in detail.
The headlight should be displayed, burning bright, at the front of
a train both day and night.
Headlights are dimmed
In yards where yard engines are employed
When standing close behind another train
When standing on the main track awaiting another train
which is to take the siding, but not until the approaching
train dims its headlight
Approaching and passing head end and rear end of a train
on an adjacent track
Approaching locations where train orders or messages are
to be handed up
At other times to permit passing of signals or when safety of
employees or others requires it.
On yard engines, headlights must be displayed to the front
and rear at night or at any time the view is obscured by
storm or fog.
The exceptions to the dimming rule are in foggy or stormy
weather, and when approaching or passing over public crossings.
Headlights are turned off when the train has stopped clear of
the main track to meet a train, or is standing to meet a train at
the end of double track or at a junction.
– MRH
Make a service cradle
I frequently need to work on the underside of steam
locomotives, and bought a pre-cut foam cradle that served
me well for a time. When not working down below, I
generally keep the locomotives on a sheet of ½” foam on
the workbench to prevent bending small detail parts or
scuffing of the finish on the workbench top.
One day I happened to have several small foam cubes
nearby and used them to prop up a tender at an angle to
TIPS
MRH-Nov 2013
