It's just like being in an old steam locomotive as far as visuals go. With restricted vision forward the crew man seated on the left side of the engine has to "call out" the signal aspects when first seen, and the engineer has to verify the call when he sees the signal. In case of an accident, part of the investigation interviews will be when and at what point or distance was the signal displayed "called" and by whom, and the same for the "response". Years ago I was in an engine identical to the lead engine of a Southern Railway train which was running forward, (remember SR Diesels were bought with the long hood designated the front). The purpose of this exercise was to determine as stated above ,when rounding a left hand curve at what point on the track was the signal first visible by the head brakeman, photos taken. Next as the train slowly continued around the curve, at what point on the track was the signal visible to the engineer on the right side of the engine, again photos taken. The exercise was conducted at the same time of night as when the accident happened.If my memory is correct the lead locomotive involved was an SD-35 or SD-40. Each time the "exercise" train which was moving slowly reached "signal first visible" the train was stopped and photos taken with both Green and Red displayed. The cameras in the cab were on tripods positioned directly behind the crew members seats at the eye level of each seated man. To Southern Railway crews "calling out" signals was normal operating procedure. Remember even when an SR engine was running in reverse the short hood was a high hood also.
|
|