MD Ramsey Wrote:
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> From my point of view, the only reason a brakeman
> would have been on top of a moving train after the
> installation of automatic air brakes and prior to
> the removal and elimination of roof running
> boards, would have been to: set or knock down the
> retainers: or relay signals when switching. Having
> to move to a specific car to check a hand brake or
> sticking brake may be a possibility as well. There
> may also be an emergency situation that may have
> required it, but that would be rare.
Gilbert Lathrop told a story for being sent out, at night without a lantern, from the caboose of an Eastbound freight in the Black Canyon because the conductor didn't think the rear helper was pushing his full share of the load. (he wasn't) That would have been just before WWI I think.
Hank