Re: New Paint Job on NR Class

Paul Pickford (boss@iinet.net.au)
5 Oct 1997 09:44:56 GMT

Terry Burton <telljb@ozemail.com.au> wrote in article
> Can somebody tell me if the NR class were designed with Crew
> safety in mind, why are they "Cab over Cow Catcher" design.?
>
We're told they exceed American safety cab standard, or something like
that. On the chassis, before the cab is fitted, there are 2 really big
stanchion things built into the front. They are about 3' high, and pretty
heavy looking. We're told that the safest place is directly behind them, on
the floor.
The lips/bumps/grooves/whatevers on the front of the beam are supposed to
stop trucks etc slipping up to above cab floor level when they're hit.
I've seen locos with a toilet or whatever in front of the cab after a
collision. Generally the collision tears this section off, so it's not of
any protection value in a big hit.

Thanks
Paul...