MU Detail...

[lock4244]

This may be CN specific, possibly local to eastern Canada, but I've been noticing a little quirk on many CN locomotives. The MU cables at the front of the lead units on many trains seen to be purposely tucked out of harms way behind the snowplow. I've never noticed this before, and am wondering if anyone else has noticed this on CN or another road?

First thought was that it was a winter thing to keep snow from packing on them and causing possible electrical problems or making it a pain in the butt to clear them. But from the photos I've observed this practice in, it doesn't seem to matter what time of year... and if the snowplow was packed with snow, the cables would be even harder to dig out anyways. It's not a recent thing either, I've looked at a photo from 1985 in Quebec of an HR412 (see below) with them tucked away... in May.

Anyways, anyone out there ever model this detail (well, practice) on their locomotives?

A few shots of this practice:


http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=186512


http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=185480


http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=187503

[mopaustin]

That's interesting...  ???

[lock4244]

I forgot to mention, if you look at the plows, there is evidence that the MU cables have been left out long enough to leave defined markings.

[Sokramiketes]

Taken in summer 2005.  Maybe they were being lazy this day?

[lock4244]

Mike, where was your shot taken?

[Robbman]

Message deleted

[lock4244]

I learn something new every day 

I doubt it's a rule though, as it doesn't seem to be followed on every leader. It also seems to be an Eastern Region thing (as in Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes), but this is based on a limited amount of research from online photos.

[Bob Bufkin]

What is the green circle on the front of CN 9437?

[Sokramiketes]

Mike, where was your shot taken?

Agawa Canyon

[lock4244]

Ah-ha! Agawa Canyon... ex ACR territory and not a follower of CN traditions.

Bob, the green circle denotes the location of a stretcher on board the locomotive.