Re: Pacing Flanger OF And D&S #476 2-15-19

Jeff Taylor Wrote:
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>
> I should point out that while the OF is a flanger
> the D&S doesn't actually flange with it. They use
> the movable wings for spreading. At least that was
> the policy when I was there. After the rebuild we
> did make sure that the flanger blade will still
> move up and down. In the video the blade is in the
> raised position.

The decision was made to not flange through the valley. After Hermosa we flanged as well as spread the ROW. The up and down action of the flanger is controlled by the engineer from the straight air valve in the locomotive, while the action of the wings comes from a small reservoir under the caboose. This is charged directly from the main reservoirs on the locomotive. The left and right wings are controlled independently from the cupola by operators.

Nick is correct that the pilot flangers on the locomotives have pretty well disappeared. The percentage of pieces still intact to the lead trucks varies from engine to engine, but the cab controls and air lines to the pistons themselves have long since been removed.

It was a fun and very long day. The slides between the cement wall and MP 477 eventually became too much to safely plow with just the locomotive. MOW crews cleared them with a speed swing and bulldozer yesterday. To my knowledge the railroad is again open to CCY.

-Jon