UP Snow Operations

[Pat Lorenz]

What is the thing on top of the cab do? It looks like an antenna system to me? Any one know, and why do they need it?

PhotoID: 105601 Photograph © raylewis

PhotoID: 105602 Photograph © raylewis

[Devil 505]

I believe they are used for knocking down any ice that has formed on the entrance to tunnels and snow sheds.

[J]

Originally Posted by Devil 505

I believe they are used for knocking down any ice that has formed on the entrance to tunnels and snow sheds.

Correct. Icicles can pose hazards to locomotive windshields and, in years past, to dome cars and loaded automobiles (before fully-enclosed multi-levels).
See following photograph for another example of such icicle bars.


source:
http://www.toltecimages.com/trains/l...mages/6039.jpg

[Joe]

And the little circles on the windshields are pieces of glass that spin to keep off snow, instead of conventional wipers.

Heh, I'm more surprised to see SP Alco PAs, I never knew SP had them!

[J]

Originally Posted by Joe

And the little circles on the windshields are pieces of glass that spin to keep off snow, instead of conventional wipers.

Heh, I'm more surprised to see SP Alco PAs, I never knew SP had them!

Yep. Them and Cotton Belt. Here's a photo of the original paint scheme:

Source

http://www.cbu.edu/~mcondren/MRP/Mem...00Jun1959..jpg

[Guilford350]

Originally Posted by J

Yep. Them and Cotton Belt. Here's a photo of the original paint scheme:

Source

http://www.cbu.edu/~mcondren/MRP/Mem...00Jun1959..jpg

In freight service, too! Cool photo!