Nostalgia & History > ATSF 5517

Here are a couple images of ATSF 5517 taken on an overcast day in August of 1989.

Which end is the 'B' end of a 'B' unit?

Jonathan Fischer
West Seattle, WA

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Love it, no matter which end!  Thanks for the share.

Kent in CArmel Valley

I assume knowing which is the B-end is necessary for correct MUing?

Marty Bernard

The B end on a freight car almost has the hand brake, not sure it it's the same for this unit, (I probably used to know). The only thing you'd have to get right MUing that unit would be getting the headlight switch right positioned right..

Would call the "A" End the one where the cab would have been so the "B" end would have been the one considered as such if the unit had a cab.
ALLEN

Why is everyone talking about B-end when it's clearly a Santa Fe unit? ;^)

B end is to the left in both photos...

MartyBernard Wrote:
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> I assume knowing which is the B-end is necessary
> for correct MUing?
>
> Marty Bernard

No, since the FOR and REV control wires are crossed at the terminal boards within each unit. Thus, once the 27 pin jumper cables are properly plugged in, every unit in the consist goes in the direction of the lead unit's control stand reverser, no mater which direction they are facing.

I never could figure out or find out why they insisted on illuminated number boards on the former cab end of these things. Obvously they were not contemplated as serving as the leading unit in a lead consist.