Changing ends in loco

[Stan63]

I was just watching a driver changing ends in a class 66 loco and was wondering if they always have to leave the loco to do this or whether the driver could walk through from one end to the other. The question could apply to any main line loco.

Stan

 

[father_jack]

Going through the engine room is a bit noisy and has hot spots you could lean against. But the ballast shoulder at the edge of the track may be unsafe so it might be the only way.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I don't know about 66's specifically but certainly in the BR-era locomotives, crew could walk from one end of the loco to the other without getting out

Perhaps the driver wanted some "fresh" air because of the heat inside the loco
Perhaps the noise in the engine room was too loud and the driver didn't have ear protection

Could be any reason

 

[Stan63]

Thanks. I've seen the driver change ends in the pouring rain on the webcam outside the station at Crewe and thought it would be easier to walk through if he could.

Stan

 

[Defiance149]

If it was a low emission 66, there's no through walking route.

 

[scammell]

Is there not a need to physically check the correct lights are displayed, hence the external walk.

 

[Trackman]

Is there not a need to physically check the correct lights are displayed, hence the external walk.

That is my thinking too, or even just look at the loco for any problems.

 

[martin2345uk]

I always get out even if it's raining, walking through the engine room right next to the engine when it's running is not a pleasant experience!

 

[GB]

If it was a low emission 66, there's no through walking route.

What is defined as a low emission 66?

All GBRf 66's have walk throughs. How else do you check the water and oils etc?

 

[D6975]

Low emission 66s can be recognised by the extra door part way down the body on one side. IIUI they have two dead end 'walk throughs', you can't get all the way from one cab to the other. This is due to the extra gubbins inside compared to a 'normal' 66.

 

[Whistler40145]

Going through the engine room is a bit noisy and has hot spots you could lean against. But the ballast shoulder at the edge of the track may be unsafe so it might be the only way.

Without being rude and discriminating, a rather rotund driver could find it difficult squeezing through the rather tight space in the engine room

 

[GB]

Low emission 66s can be recognised by the extra door part way down the body on one side. IIUI they have two dead end 'walk throughs', you can't get all the way from one cab to the other. This is due to the extra gubbins inside compared to a 'normal' 66.

The dead end walkway is only on one side of the loco and only accessible from No2 end. The other side (the non battery isolation switch side) is full through access...and I'm pretty sure that's the same for all 66's

 

[Stan63]

Thanks for all the information. I'll keep a close eye any time a driver changes ends on a loco and see if there is ever a time they walk through.

Stan