Does that angled plate fold to cover the stepwell? What is it's purpose?
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Do you know many more are yet to enter service?
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I also wonder the purpose of the structural steel below and behind the cab side windows, and the curved structure below the front windows which may be associated with the lone grab iron below the curved bars. That crab iron is straight and does not resemble the special type grab irons used for ladder attachment. There are four black cover plates located below the anti-climber that I do not remember seeing on U.S. in service SD70ACe units, what could attach in these locations ?
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| Posted by on June 14, 2012 | |
I believe the steel below the windows is used to deflect iron ore away from the windows when used as mid-train helpers.
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I would guess the black covers are for some type recepticals for an Electro/pnuematic braking system. Also notice the chains are along the side steps and solid hand rails along the front.
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Bill,
Those cover plates appear to be removable, and appear to be tiedown points to attach load restraint devices for transit.
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Believe the 5 (1 is hidden under the checker plate) black plates are temporary bolt-on lugs for securing the loco during ocean shipment. And I think the pans on the nose fold up to cover the windshields (against ore pellets??). No clue regarding the external structural members under and behind the cab side windows.
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I'm also guessing those checker plates that fold down over the stairwell (kind of like inside a passenger car vestibule) provide maintenance personnel with a safe platform to access the number boards, class lights, and sand-fill stubouts.
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If you look closely at this brand new UP SD70 (http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=401825) you will see it too has the extra structural members on the side of the cab.
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