Model Railroading > Help!

I am hoping the collective knowledge base here on TO can help with a part I can't identfy. The circled appliace on the nose has me stumped. Does anyone on here know what it is and how it's used. Thank you in advance for any help on this.
—espee4ever

Image link: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc2111geb.jpg

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Looks to be a video camera.  I would guess that they are recording the railroad for use in the locomotive simulator for engineer training?

Tehachapi-TJ Over & Out.

I thought that as well, however, every GP20 and GP30 I can find pictures of have them as well. So I don't think it's a video camera.
—espee4ever



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/16 07:34 by espee4ever.

The GP40's had them as well. Here is a pic of NYC GP40 3018.
—espee4ever

 

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I believe that gadget was cab signal equipment. Later it was replaced by a rectangular box that was mounted on the walkway.

New York Central possibly 50 years ago? No video recorders nor locomotive simulators invented yet.


tehachapi-dave Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looks to be a video camera.  I would guess that
> they are recording the railroad for use in the
> locomotive simulator for engineer training?
>
> Tehachapi-TJ Over & Out.

Posted from iPhone

It's a siren.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

espee4ever Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am hoping the collective knowledge base here on
> TO can help with a part I can't identfy. The
> circled appliace on the nose has me stumped. Does
> anyone on here know what it is and how it's used.
> Thank you in advance for any help on this.
> —espee4ever
>
> Image
> link: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc2111ge
> b.jpg

ATS equipment?
 

First pic looks like a Hancock air whistle with air plumbing ?, JMHO

Ed Stewart
Jacksonville, FL

Seaboard and New Haven used Hancock Air Whistles, they look nothing like this part at all.
—espee4ever

Cab signal equipment note the pick up shoe on the front axle on each unit.
 

Either ATC or ATS with the pick up shoe on the right front axle..... its a GP20

It's a motor-generator set ..... Takes 74 volt DC locomotive control voltage and converts it to 32 volt DC for the ATC equipement.  32V was a holdover from steam dynamo days.  If I recall it was provided by GRS.

The PRR used a "Cab Signal Converter" that used not rotating equipement for their cab signal system which was provided by Wabco.

Thank you for all the responses and the help in identifying exactly what this appliance was used for.
—espee4ever

Yes, it's related to the ATC that the NYC had. Someone makes the item in HO as I remember Jim Six adding it to his locos.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

Although I've never seen this before, it sure looks like a *Hancock Air Whistle*. (the part that is circled) Very interesting ! And there is probably more equipment mounted with it. Notice there's NO horn or Hancock mounted on the top of the cab ! Just the radio antenna. ("Skate" style). Must of been for clearance issues. As a retired engineer, that must of been alot of fun, with that thing being directly in front of you. lol
Railburner

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/16 13:30 by railburner.

railburner Wrote:
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> Notice there's NO horn or Hancock mounted on the top of  the cab ! Nothing. Must of been for clearance issues.
> Railburner

The airhorn on the GP20 is located behind the exhaust.
—espee4ever

espee4ever
>
> The airhorn on the GP20 is located behind the
> exhaust.
> —espee4ever
I stand corrected. Didn't see the little bit of horn mounted farther back.
Railburner

Posted from Android

Gee, and I was thinking that it was a gizmo to draw fresh air into where the toilet was located!

railburner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Although I've never seen this before, it sure
> looks like a *Hancock Air Whistle*. (the part
> that is circled) Very interesting ! And there is
> probably more equipment mounted with it. Notice
> there's NO horn or Hancock mounted on the top of
> the cab ! Just the radio antenna. ("Skate" style).
> Must of been for clearance issues. As a retired
> engineer, that must of been alot of fun, with that
> thing being directly in front of you. lol
> Railburner
>
> Posted from Android

A little correction if I may.  The antenna is correctly known as a  Sinclair antenna.  Named for the company that supplies them.