What's the purpose of the cables slung alongside the radiators?
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The cables are attached to a flip up icicle breaker, used to help prevent damage to autos on auto racks.
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Photographer Tim Repp was at this location as was Bill on the same day March 24/79. (His Photo ID 401510) He was asked the same question about the cables on top of the rear of the locos. His answer was: "As with SP and CPR on passenger locos, MILW installed icicle breakers on the top back of some locos. The cables (on both sides) allowed crews to retract them without climbing atop the locos."
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Those cables are part of the icicle breaker apparatus. They are in the down position in this photo, note the thin steel bar protruding out from the rear fans. The cables help the crew tilt them up to a vertical position when auto racks are in the train during winter conditions.
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