pumpers wrote:for the transfer move on the M&E and Washignton secondary, is there
any real reason 142 really had to be under steam. Can't the diesel just pull it,
or is it some issue with the air pressure source for the brakes, etc. If
the 142 wasn't connected to the air on the diesel, how could the braking
be controlled from the lead diesel unit?
(once in phillispsburg, I know they went to easton, reversed over the
L&HR bridge, and the diesel went back, so the 142 had to pull
the consist on its own down to the Bel-Del, but my question refers to
the actual transfer itself)
I "chased" the 142 on a ferry move from Little Ferry to Bingo a few years ago. One of the B40-8 units was the pilot engine. No other cars. As I understand the process, it's easier to have the engine under steam when they move it. That way the oil pumps, lube system, etc function properly. If they were moving it dead in tow, speed would be limited and they'd have to disconnect the rods.
On that trip, the Warwick Fire Dept met the steamer and topped off its water tank. Took about ten minutes. Lots of school kids came down to see the engine.
Speed was about 35 mph, and they whistled every crossing. After a while, the engineer whistled every time he saw me, too.