Icy De-Icer.
New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) R77 locomotive 897 (GE SL50, 1983) is seen on the head end of a de-icer train making its way up the Brighton Line express track. These trains haul specialized de-icer cars, which apply an alcohol solution to the third rail to combat ice buildup. This train had de-icer RD345, a converted revenue car, as well as a second "rider car" and locomotive.
The additional rider car and locomotive were unusual for this type of consist, and were included because the train was a designated "SET train" given the amount of snowfall predicted for this storm. In the event that service on a line is shut down due to snow accumulation, SET trains are tasked with making one last round up and down the line collecting customers who were in the system prior to the turnstiles being locked and transporting them to the nearest station to transfer to operating services.
