@Rich Melvin posted:On the P&LE, we switched WITHOUT air! The only brakes were on the engines. So the slack ran in and out every time we started or stopped. I learned to stand a little sideways to deal with it. Easier to keep your balance that way.
This all happened back when I was young and stupid, and memories fade with the years. However, I don't recall any nasty incidents from riding on top. I did it almost every day for several years, switching in the P&LE Gateway Yard in Struthers, Ohio..
Oh me... no air. Yes, a bit spread legged fore/aft would certainly help.
So many very risky job tasks were "common" back decades ago.
How did we survive our "young and and invincible" years?
I remember several of my "close calls" (and close calls not of my doing) that could have ended really badly, but somehow got away with it without incident.
Andre
