On many steam locomotives there are footplates.
Under what circumstances would a crewmember use a footplate?
Which crewmember would use the footplate?
Was there a special regulation regarding notifying the engineer you were on
the footplate?
Would only one side of the engine be used, or both?
Has the use of footplates been banned by the FRA?
Does that ban also mean tourist railroads?
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On many steam locomotives there are footplates.
Diesels used to have them also, but when the FRA made their use illegal, they have been removed. Obviously many steam locomotive still have them.
Under what circumstances would a crewmember use a footplate?
Ridding a light locomotive down a long yard track to a coupling.
Which crewmember would use the footplate?
Generally, the Brakeman.
Was there a special regulation regarding notifying the engineer you were on
the footplate?
I don't remember any "regulation" about notifying the Engineer.
Would only one side of the engine be used, or both?
Generally, the preferred side would be on the Engineer's side. However, I do remember a "policy" that a person was NOT to be riding a footboard in the direction of travel, i.e. the man should ride the REAR footboard. When the locomotive stopped, then the man would walk forward to make the joint, and couple the air hose if necessary.
Has the use of footplates been banned by the FRA?
Yes. Many, many years ago.
Does that ban also mean tourist railroads?
I would certainly think so, if said tourist railroad is under FRA jurisdiction.
Isn't the topic of this question a "footboard"? Isn't a footplate the hinged piece of steel bridging the cab deck and tender deck?
Thanx a lot Hot Water. You answered all my questions.
Isn't the topic of this question a "footboard"? Isn't a footplate the hinged piece of steel bridging the cab deck and tender deck?
You are correct, Mark.
But the number of questions and types of questions he asked, I assumed he was referring to North American railroads, and locomotives equipped with Footboards. Now the term "footplate" is definitely used in Europe to describe the steam locomotive cab & tender deck-plate (as it is referred to in the U.S.). Thus, a European visitor to the U.S. might ask to "come up on the footplate" or even request "a ride on the footplate".
When I was a boy Engineer in the early 1970's Switchmen stepped on and off of the footboards at will. A rule prohibited riding the footboard on the leading end of the movement, but it was completely ignored and never enforced (on the Santa Fe Los Angeles Division).
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