EMD's SD-7's SD-9's a small video in Tales of the Jointed Track

I have run these in my career, switched with them and in drag freight. They are only 1500 to 1750 hp depending on model. But the are low speed drag power and will do what you want.

1950's technology, working today's freight.

As anal as I am..let me tell you what I see as and engineer, an outside pair of eyes, etc.

okay humor me...

The start of the video.. the oscillating head light the upper one. That's a Mars light. It is what it is called. Notice, there is or are, no ditch lights, so this is yard and light branch line only. If it is used on the mainline, it will be a trail only unit.

You can hear the distinct sound of the EMD roots blown 567 diesel engine. The way its sounds, revs up and down. A great sound, it growls, and it's not wide open. Looks like they are kicking down the lead.

The whistle, it is deep throaty, I liked those. It's a Nathan, has "fiber" wafers, that give that tone. The trumpet length aids as well. The air vibrates the wafers, and it expels to the trumpet(s) at it oscillates.

Around 2:16 in as he shoves in, you can hear the slack as the "joint" or coupling is made. It very gentle, he's paying attention to the signals relayed by radio. The word joint, was way along before the marijuana cigarette.

2:43 of the video you hear him shove in. Sounds like a heavy cut, the SD-7 is notching out, under the skillful hand of the engineer. Whats that thing hanging off the front truck? That is an ETD, or end of train device. That is your modern caboose. It was probably taken off, during the switch, the car forces will take care of that later.

Around 3:14 he is shoving to a stop. notice the slack adjustment, the empty bulkhead backs into the couplers. That's what a switch man looks for to pull the pin and cut away. As the SD-7 goes past, a good glimpse of the ETD again. What else? Looks like our SD-7 has been in the shop. Where the journal boxes ride, there are new pedestal liners applied. Also it looks like maybe a couple of new journal boxes, and a traction motor, or two changed out. The brake shoes are a little thin, but the shop can get those into compliance. Looking at the brake cylinders, when they applied, the brake travel is in compliance.

4:30 to 5:05 you can see the switchman, giving a car count, and a stop signal to the engineer. You have to look past the grade crossing signals. This is the photographers point of perspective, not the engineers. The switchman throws the switch to another track. The "odd" hand signal, is a "going in between" signal. The engineer might have acknowledged by radio, otherwise a long blast on the whistle is the acknowledgement.

They shove down the lead, come back lite, and ready for another track, or tie up, that I don't know

My thoughts... enjoy

Brakeshoe Bob