09-25-2009, 05:20 PM
My favorite operation during the caboose era involved cutting off helpers on the fly. The caboose... AHEM.. Cabins had an extension on the angle cock to enable the conductor to close the brake pipe between the cabin and the helper. A chain was then pulled which was connected to the coupler cut lever. The conductor would then signal the helper engineer who would let off the throttle, allowing the train to pull away, the brake hoses would separate, placing the helper into emergency while the train being helped continued on.
-Dave