Not the tires ,Herb

The D&SNG rarely uses the 6-ET airbrakes because the trains are equipped with straight air . This arrangement was introduced in 1985 to make air brake use "easier" for the revolving door of new engineers at the time . My guess ,Herb ,is they were actually trying to cool a hot driver axle by pouring cold water on the counterweight and driving box .That was probably caused with using up of the grease block that is spring-loaded under the axle , at the bottom of the driving box . A common occurance on both roads ,with the long mileage ,stiff grades , rough track and heavy trains .