Re: Flat locomotive batteries question

[gonoNOCRAP@bigpond.com.au]

On Thu, 25 Feb 1999 22:24:51 +1100, Gareth Davidson
<gaidheal@pipeline.com.au> wrote:

>Quick Question
>
>Is it possible to tow start a loco?
>
>Most loco's now have dinamic braking, why couldn't it be used to power
>the starter while another loco is halling it allong a track?
>
>That's my question for the day!!!
Short answer is yes it WAS possible to tow start an engine the V\line
"F" class English electrics had a special stick that was inserted into
the power contactor (electro magnetic) and the loco was towed to a
certain speed and someone pulled the power contactor in this caused
the traction motor (s) to generate and inturn revolve the engine
causing it to start. 
I never saw this done and was told that it could bend the siderods
in the days of the "F" class , loco's were never shut down
Regards Paul Johnston