Re: Movements in reverse -

Backing the big geese up has always been a problem. No.7 has a worse problem as it retains the Pierce Arrow body. The PA body is narrower than the Wayne ones. The motorman would have to stand on the driver side running board completly out of the cab in order to see while backing up. Cutting a rear door in the freight bodies helped. Coupled with the pull rope in the freight body connected to the signal bell in the "cabs" made it a little safer. No.7 has two rear view mirrows hung from the left and right front doors. (cobbled together from the type that mounted between the hood and fender of an automobile for trailer towing.) The mirrors are removed when No.7 is not running. We have received complaints that the mirrors are not correct, but we consider them safety appliances. No.7 is unique as it has a "reverser". Engaging the reverser gives you 4 speeds backing up. We get asked when using the reverser, "did you just shift that thing twice while backing up?" Jack Brinkerhoff told me he installed the reverser as he was tired of backing up to a road crossing at 2-3 mph to unload rails when he scrapped the RGS. The CRRM does have a brakeman in the rear box with a radio in contact with the motorman. There is also a buzzer in the box to communicate with the front section.
We have resisted the urge to mount a a backup TV camera to No.7 Happy Birthday No.3 from your youngest brother!
Bill G



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2011 05:16PM by HighCommander.