A while back, someone gave me a complete New York Central/Metro North ACMU controller. It came out of one of the Pullman Standard-built cars, which are now being converted to locomotive-hauled coaches for tourist service. I notice that the controller has a permanant reverser, but has a hole for a key, that is used to unlock the reverser. I'd like one of these keys. Anyone have a potential source?

David -

I hope you find a key from somewhere or someone.

But this brings up a bigger question. On electric powered equipment that ends up at a museum where the plan is to strictly use them in locomotive-hauled service, what needs to be done so that the equipment is no longer subject to the FRA blue card rules as a "locomotive"? Does removing the power source such as pantographs or trolley poles or even third rail shoes, do it? Or do traction motors have to be removed too? Or just what has to be done? I know there is a lot of equipment that was once electrically powered but is now strictly hauled by a separate locomotive, and I was just wondering what other museums have done. Thanks.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)