Question About The NYC Dreyfuss Hudson

My guess is that is where you can get access to the air and steam line connections and/or the valves that control them.

Not sure what it is....a access panel of some type....but COOL photo!

This pic seems to bear this out. Thats about the only thing that could be reached from that location.

Pete

I'll give everyone a little more time to figure this out.

Here is a hint, it is NOT any type of access panel.

Here you can clearly see it on the front of the Lionel Dreyfuss Hudson.

Lionel Dreyfuss

Hmmmmmm....I'm stumped.  Gerry Burns: your posted image does not show up on my computer.

Steve

picture not showing up

How about this picture?

Lionel Dreyfuss

I can't see what you are talking about either Gerry. This area on my computer picture is a dark area.......EJB

Air brake connection?

so what is it already?

It's where you plug in special jumper cables for emergency jump starts.

A place to put the two bolts/pins that hold the front coupler up when you want the coupler down?

Stop playing games and just tell us what it is. At this point I almost don't care.

I'll second this comment! Why not post a few photos of the REAL LOCOMOTIVE so we can all see exactly what you are describing? If the "door" is indeed on the real thing, then maybe we can figure out what the purpose for it is.

Gee...you guys give up too easy.

It's an example of a very simple but very ingenious design.

The rectangular plate with the 2 holes is the front end of a retractable foot rest. You just grabbed it by the 2 holes and slid it out. The maintenance people then used it to stand on while adjusting or replacing the headlight.

There were also hand grips that could be inserted in the openings for the screws that held the fins together. These were used for support while standing on the foot rest.

My guess is that these hand grips were a pain to install and remove while stand on the foot rest. They probably were lost over time also.

I would assume that is why the 2 grab handles were added to #5451 in the photo I posted, so they wouldn't need the hand grips.

Hot Water, there is a link to the photo of #5451 at the beginning of the post.

Hot Water,

Look at the posted photo at the beginning of this thread.  It shows this object very clearly.

To me it is an access hatch for one to be able to access the shut off valves for the 2 hose lines next to the coupler that one can plainly see in another photo in this thread of an unstreamlined Hudson.  One would place his fingers in the 2 holes and pull outward to open the hatch.  Or perhaps if it is not an openable hatch, reach inside the cowling through the 2 holes with a specially fabricated rod to reach the shutoff valves.

Steve

Gerry,

Do you have a photo showing the footrest pulled out and being used by someone?

Steve

Steam Guy, here is a link showing the patients on the Dreyfuss. There are 4 images at the top. Click on the first one. It has a section view showing the retractable foot rest.

Patient

Thanks Gerry.

You have added a bit more knowledge of these engines.  Let's see if anyone models that detail!

Steve

Thanks, Gerry.  Very interesting bit of trivia!