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While in Seattle I noticed an F40PH Cabbage with it's Emergency light Flashing, some Amtrak Employees were pointing at it and talking to each other, I couldnt hear because I was Pulling in on the Starlight, and today while watch a video about the Surfline and Amtrak's F40s, it shows one with it's Emergency light also Flashing, does any one know what this means?
Posts: 989 | From: DIAMOND BAR CA. U.S. | Registered: Nov 2003
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This means the trainpipe has no air. This happens when you put the train into emergency, have no air, or when you have the locomotive brake set.
Fairly common, no longer required. If you look closely, the Amtrak Surfliner and Cascades have them, that's why there is only 1 marker light lit.
Posts: 82 | From: Irvine, CA | Registered: Feb 2002
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Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If the train is in emergency, all air has been vented into the atmosphere from the brake pipe, and the train's wheels are "locked." This can occur in a real emergency, when the engineer makes an emergency application with the brake valve, or if the train throws itself into emergency due to a pull-apart or derailment. This would cause the light to turn on. The air is also vented when a car is being cut from the train (due to bad order or whatever). If you're standing next to the train when this happens, you'll hear a loud rush of air (kind of like a thunk). The red light was mainly used to warn approaching trains that it was in emergency, to be alert when passing, or to put your own train into emergency if you suspect that there might be dragging equipment, or a shifted load that you could hit from an approaching train.
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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