03-12-2011, 11:22 AM
I want to weigh in on this one. That "handle" is a required grab. It is a safety appliance, and required on all locomotives and cars.
some FRA personell have not come from the railroad industry and don't know all the rules, but when you model a car or locomotive you put that grab on them. I do believe that the cut lever bar is accepted in some cases if it is low enought to be used. I have searced for the exact FRA requirement but even knowing it is in the 49 CFR I can't find it, but it has been a requirement for many many years. It is not required to be painted a contrasting color because it is not used in boarding the locomotive. You will see the equivalant on the Alco parked beside the GP that has a plow.
some FRA personell have not come from the railroad industry and don't know all the rules, but when you model a car or locomotive you put that grab on them. I do believe that the cut lever bar is accepted in some cases if it is low enought to be used. I have searced for the exact FRA requirement but even knowing it is in the 49 CFR I can't find it, but it has been a requirement for many many years. It is not required to be painted a contrasting color because it is not used in boarding the locomotive. You will see the equivalant on the Alco parked beside the GP that has a plow.