What is this gadget?

It looks like the remains of the third-rail pickup shoes and associated hardware. It's unfortunate that the locomotive is in a neglected condition but I imagine they have a limited budget for restoration work.

I expect one of the resident experts will have more details about these items.

That is the remains of a ribbon fuse box, probably in series with the third rail shoe. The wedge on each side is where the fuse was clamped in. The ribbon fuse is a copper strip about 9" long and 1" wide, maybe 0.020" think. It has a hole punched in the middle to calibrate the current and to get it to open in a predictable location. This is a very special version of a ribbon fuse box.  I hope some who knows the whole story can come on here and explain it. This particular box has a knife attached to the verticals cylinder in the center, that comes down and cuts the fuse under some circumstances.  I probably have not though about that style ribbon fuse box for 50 years. Hope we get the rest of the story. 

So there would be some massive draw of power that would act on the vertical coil or dashpot and induce it downwards? I recall something similar on the oil breakers on old-style distribution boards. Instead of cutting a ribbon, they acted upwards to pop a manual breaker handle.

Wouldn't it be potentially hazardous to persons near the loco if a fuse blew?

A lot of the stored equipment is rusting outside.  Obviously, money is a limiting factor.

My guess is a loco like that would have maybe a 1500 amp third rail fuse.  650VDC on the third rail. If that fuse blew it would be like a bomb going off. On a third rail railroad there are not a lot of people standing around the track. And if you work for an electric railroad there are some things you would need to learn quickly, like do not step on the third rail and do not stand by ribbon fuse boxes. It would be like working for a steam railroad.  You you'll need to learn not to stand next to the cylinder cocks or blow down valve.  

There was one of these at each end of the loco.  I did not see the other side.  I assume that in stations the third rail would be across the tracks from the platform, so the people standing on the platform weren't at risk.

I remember the LIRR alongside the Sunrise Highway having a third rail, and was surprised there weren't wholesale injuries.  The third rails came right up to crossings.

David Johnston posted:

That is the remains of a ribbon fuse box, ... 

sounds good to me.
found an S2 photo with enough res to crop down an example of an operational box...

cheers...gary

David Johnston posted:

My guess is a loco like that would have maybe a 1500 amp third rail fuse.  650VDC on the third rail. If that fuse blew it would be like a bomb going off. On a third rail railroad there are not a lot of people standing around the track. And if you work for an electric railroad there are some things you would need to learn quickly, like do not step on the third rail and do not stand by ribbon fuse boxes. It would be like working for a steam railroad.  You you'll need to learn not to stand next to the cylinder cocks or blow down valve.  

I can imagine that would be a major pants-changing moment, even for the locomotive crew. I've been in the vicinity of, um, major electrical events (not caused by me  . Not fun.

Judging by the color it looks like the entire apparatus is/was backed in asbestos.

The flash from a short must have been great!

Rule292 posted:

Judging by the color it looks like the entire apparatus is/was backed in asbestos.

Ribbon fuse holders are made from hard fiber or bone fiber. This is cotton fibers compressed under high pressure and high temperature that results in a natural resin. The material is an insulator and is arc resistant, but expands and warps when it gets wet. It is a common material in Lionel trains, including washers, shoulder washers, collector assemblies. It was made in black, gray, and red, but turns white with weathering and age.  There may be asbestos in that locomotive, but not in the ribbon fuse holder.

Were there as many stupid people in the old days?  I know there weren't any using cells and ear buds back then!           Dennis

RJR  "I remember the LIRR alongside the Sunrise Highway having a third rail, and was surprised there weren't wholesale injuries.  The third rails came right up to crossings."

RJR posted:

There was one of these at each end of the loco.  I did not see the other side.  I assume that in stations the third rail would be across the tracks from the platform, so the people standing on the platform weren't at risk.

I remember the LIRR alongside the Sunrise Highway having a third rail, and was surprised there weren't wholesale injuries.  The third rails came right up to crossings.

i'm pretty sure both 3rd rail and catenary block sections are dead until a train enters the block.  with a train audibly close, i could imagine wandering across the track would offer a less desirable incursion window at that time.

cheers...gary

There is no third rail or overhead catenary railroad that I am aware of that leaves the third rail or overhead wire off until it is needed. It is energized all the time. Until I retired I worked for a fairly modern third rail transit system. Their yard tracks were turned durning the late at night to save power. The third rail could be shut down when requested by track workers when they had track time to do maintenance.  I believe that in Chicago, and maybe other locations, there are grade crossings on third rail lines. The third rail stops about ten feet back from the crossing and cars and pedestrians just pass by. There are always warning signs. On the P and W out side of Philadelphia, the third rail tracks are, maybe were, not fenced. The wooden cover board was so rotten it was falling of, so it had been removed and the third rail was wide open.  I watched a man mowing his back yard and he mowed his grass right up to the third rail. In the Terrytown area the fishermen step over the third rail to cross the four track main line to get to the Hudson River to fish.  The system seems to work, dogs seem to be the most frequent victims of third rail. 

I have seen in photos that in the UK (Britain) third rails are completely exposed.

Yep, working with Amtrak in the North East Corridor... first thing you learn is 3rd rail safety...

If you drop some spare change on the tracks, best not to retrieve it like this guy!