I just came upon this film on Youtube showing a roadside service call on a disabled CSX locomotive. The title is somewhat not quite accurate. But the film is interesting. As someone pointed out, it must be an expensive roadside call.
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Yes, I can see where roadside equipment would be able to get to alot of points on the right of way. But there are so many places where a road vehicle cannot be driven. So the big hook would still be the best way to go, in my opinion.
What is that locomotive now, an AC5000 with one less set of driven wheels? 
Dan Padova posted:Yes, I can see where roadside equipment would be able to get to alot of points on the right of way. But there are so many places where a road vehicle cannot be driven. So the big hook would still be the best way to go, in my opinion.
Not really. Those "side-winders" and highly competent outside contractors is EXACTLY the reason the railroads git rid of all the "big hooks", and the resulting RR employees that were assigned to them.
gunrunnerjohn posted:What is that locomotive now, an AC5000 with one less set of driven wheels?
Yes, but only to transport it to the nearest diesel shop equipped with a drop-table. The "idler axle" will be removed and a new/rebuilt AC traction motor wheel set "combo" will be reinstalled.
I really knew that HW, just going for a little humor. 
On two different occasions while working on the railroad as an engineer, they sent out shop forces to cut the traction motor gear with a torch to disconnect the wheel set from the disabled(stuck) traction motor, disconnected the wiring and we continued on with our trip after another engine was added to the consist.
When the sidewinders get put up on the trailers, do the Derrick booms lie down fore and aft? They look like they only swing out.
