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This was given to me by my girlfriend's, grand mother's friend. He is a conductor for BNSF down in Texas and sent this to me knowing that I like trains, kind of as a graduation present. It's made of plastic and when I did an online search only a few other brass examples showed up. Can anyone give me more information on this peice?
That is a reverser handle or throttle lever, can't run a loco without one.
When the crew exit the loco they are supposed to take it with them so no one can take off with the train.
You're really not supposed to get hold of one, could get you in trouble if you ever try it out.
Not really a key, but that's an appropriate name in layman's terms; it's actually reverser handle.
I would never hop into a locomotive with that thing and try it.
I think that one is for an SW unit or maybe a GP9. I have one and as far as I can recall I was told it was from a switcher. Most likley an SW900 or 1200 as that was what was typical in the yard back in those days.
I also have a couple brass ones and they were more typically for the larger GP & SD units.
Someone with better recollection or experience will likely chime in here to set things straight. It was back in the seventies when I was still in my teens that I was given them.
Cool, Thanks for solving part of my question outback.
I may not have solved it, but perhaps provided a good lead to the correct answer? The more I think about it now the more I am thinking GP9. But someone will know for sure. YW anyway ;-)
That reverser will fit pretty much every loco out there as they are standard. It will fit an SW900, SD40-2, GP38, Etc.
I think that one is for an SW unit or maybe a GP9. I have one and as far as I can recall I was told it was from a switcher. Most likley an SW900 or 1200 as that was what was typical in the yard back in those days.
I also have a couple brass ones and they were more typically for the larger GP & SD units.
Someone with better recollection or experience will likely chime in here to set things straight. It was back in the seventies when I was still in my teens that I was given them.
You can't tell one unit's reverser key for another - they're supposed to work on any loco. They're not assigned to a locomotive, either - it's easier for engineers to carry them around on their person.
But yeah, reverser handle - There's a slot on the control stand/desk where you stick that in, push it forward to put the unit in forward, central is neutral, and back is reverse. If it's in neutral and you throttle up, all you'll do is burn diesel, no power will go to the motors.
There you have it, the right information. I knew it would come to light eventually. Thanks guys!
Thanks Trainboy! So I'm assuming it's an EMD product specifically?
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