I am looking for F-7 locomotive operating tips (for a research project) for smoothly leaving a station (on level ground) in an ABBA configuration with a 25-car train.

Let's assume the locomotives will be set up for automatic transition.

1. The manual says to begin by placing the transition lever in the #1 position (for automatic transition). Can I assume that it will NOT be in that position while the train has stopped in a station? If it isn't, what position is it in and which direction does the lever move to go into the #1 position?

2. The manual makes a point of not pushing down the deadman's pedal and releasing the brakes simultaneously. I guess this shoots the brakes and one needs to push the pedal down first to avoid that.

3. When the manual mentions releasing the brakes,it does not mention the independent brake. Should I assume it is already in the release position?

4. If the train was properly stopped, should I assume that if one notches out slowly that the train will stretch out smoothly without any bad slack action (and passenger complaints ).

5. The manual says "It is desirable to be in full throttle position before reaching the speed at which automatic transition to parallel normally takes place; this will prevent all units from simultaneously making transition, which may result in an undesirable train surge." I do not see what that speed is.

Any comments or tips will be greatly appreciated from either a practical standpoint or from the standpoint of an old timer standing behind you saying DO THIS or BE SURE NOT TO DO THAT.

thanks,

Malcolm



malcolmrcampbell@cs.com

> I think you should speak with a qualified engineer about this-what you are trying to do is turn an art into a set of linear (if- then-else) instructions.

There's so many things that effect this:

Weather
Type of consist (containers or unbaffled tank cars)
Condition of locomotive(s)
Condition of rail (worn, wet, etc.)
Grade

Good luck!



Superheater@beer.com

>>I think you should speak with a qualified engineer about this-what you are trying to do is turn an art into a set of linear (if- then-else) instructions. <<

Well, I was hoping a qualified engineer would provide the basic steps as they would be taken under reasonable weather/track conditions for well-maintained passenger-F units...assuming a 1968-era passenger train with about 25 cars.

And yes, I do know it's an art!

--Malcolm

malcolmrcampbell@cs.com