Crash testing: Not just for cars.

[Drew Dowdell]

We've all seen car crash tests, so here is a video of locomotive crash tests.  Turn your volume down if you don't wish to hear cheesy disco music

 

These locomotive crash tests were performed in the 1980s after a series of fatal (to the engineer) crashes.   The DOT wanted to see how different cab designs reacted in various crash scenarios.  They were also testing for something called "climbing"... that is when the impacting vehicle climbs up and over the impacted vehicle.  one of the results of these tests where the "safety cabs" we see on virtually all modern freight locomotives.  Apparently it made such a difference to the safety of the crew, that when older locomotives go in for a major rebuild, they have their cabs converted to the new style.  

 

 

 

A comfort cab loco:

 

A Spartan Cab loco

 

[ocnblu]

Good training.

 

I turned it UP.

[Drew Dowdell]

No no... not UP, those are BNSF and NS.

[ocnblu]

pardon

[Drew Dowdell]

UP:

 

 

BNSF:

 

 

NS:

[balthazar]

Looks like the solution was to move the front of the cab to the 2nd 'axle' rather than above the first.

Not sure a whole study was necc. for that, but OK:

 

Edited December 15, 2015 by balthazar

[Drew Dowdell]

Looks like the solution was to move the front of the cab to the 2nd 'axle' rather than above the first.

Not sure a whole study was necc. for that, but OK:

 

 

Huge differences in visibility.

[balthazar]

And safety, in retrospect.

[ocnblu]

Cool stickers, bro.

[G. David Felt]

Anyone need more of the "Here comes the Express!"