Those 8 Connections Hanging From The Pilot Of My GP-35

Without any actual knowledge of what they are, I would suspect that there are 4 of them, mirrored on each side of the locomotive so they can be connected to an adjacent loco, regardless of which way it is facing.

Sorry, none of the above. There are actually only four (4) and they are ALL related to air pressure connections:

1) Directly under the coupler is the main brake pipe connection for train air brakes.

2) Main reservoir equalizing, larger hoses either side closest to coupler.

3) Independent application and release, for locomotive "independent" air brakes only.

4) Actuating, for bailing off the independent bracks when main train line brakes are applied.

The proper order should be:

1) Directly under the coupler is the main brake pipe connection for train air brakes.

2) Main reservoir equalizing, larger hoses either side closest to coupler.

3) Actuating, for bailing off the independent brakes when main train line brakes are applied.

4) Independent application and release, for locomotive "independent" air brakes only.

Thanks, I got two reversed. 

Now if you have older EMD diesel units, i.e. prior to say 1964, then there will be two additional hose connections on the far outer edges, for train lining of manual sand control (one for forward sanding, and one for reverse sanding). Most all EMD E, F, and early GP units had manual sanding train lined by air pressure.

Lots of darned hoses to hang on either end!

According to the diagrams in the textbooks, the two on the outer ends are connected back to the reproductive organs....

I wrote a brief explanation of this in a "Didja Know?" column in Run 221.

A PDF of that column is attached.

WOW!

I sure got what I bargained for when I asked about the functions of those 8 connections! 

When you really want to know about something, ask those who really know!

Thanks, everyone!

BAD ORDER

(The order to "reverse engines" while approaching the iceberg is what sealed Titanic's doom.)

Mr. Melvin:

What is "Run 221" and where is it located?   What is a PDF?

Thank You,

Harold Pollner, (Bad Order)

Apple Valley, CA  

Each issue of OGR Magazine is numbered. The current issue of OGR is "Run 270" for April/May 2014. Thus, "Run 221" is a "back issue".

PDF is a common file format usually opened by Adobe Reader (free) and it was located attached to his response.

 Did the signal line have it's own hose?  I think so but can't remember for sure.

If you mean the air signal line for passenger service, then yes. The air signal hose would have been down low and right next to the train line brake pipe hose. Obviously the air signal hose was much smaller, and had a special glad-hand so that NOTHING else would couple to it BUT another signal line hose.

Thx HW..

DEAR MR. MELVIN,

Thank you for the link to the PDF, which clearly showed the functions of the connections in text and pictorial form.  It was indeed enlightening and gratifying to me!

BAD ORDER HAL