<br>Hey guys, I have a question. I really like that John Voight movie "Runaway Train" -- lots of cool rail footage, but I always have the same question when I see it. Could you actually uncouple a locomotive from an MU consist while it's at speed, it you were ambitious enough to climb out on the pilot and get at the uncoupler lever? It seems to me that somehow this should not happen, you know, for safety reasons. What about unhooking the MU cables themselves; in the movie, they just hit the ice-encrusted cables with something and they come apart. I know that's a crock since there must be a locking mechanism for the cables, similar to the twist and lock of airbrake hoses. However, I've noticed on the Amtrak P40s(Genesis) that the MU cables merely plug into the face of the locomotive, a little above the coupler. Although, with the pilot of the P40 designed the way it is, one would have to have a death wish to try to get out there and disconnect at speed. Well, I'm rambling, but any insight you guys have would be appreciated. Seth <p><p><br>



upacific@copland.udel.edu

It's like, you know, Hollywood. Not real for sure. Totally fictitous.<p>Like, why not just shut down the units and set the brakes from inside the engine compartment? <p>That film did need to be labeled: "Kids - don't try this at home." <br>



lathro19@idt.net