Locomotive Inspections: Tips from an Expert

The 1999 Rail Passenger Car Alliance (RPCA) convention in Cumberland, MD, featured a seminar on diesel locomotive inspection by Steve Lee. Steve is Chief Mechanical Officer / Passenger Cars on the Union Pacific RR.

Steve explained he periodically creates a report of all FRA warnings or citations recorded by UP computers. He can then see what areas really concern locomotive and car inspectors. He said there are about two dozen things they examine consistently which you might not expect! He hoped that sharing his list would help people better understand the FRA's concerns, and therefore better prioritize maintenance and repairs. The result? Safer equipment, a happy federal man, and a better day on the railroad.

Trucks

• sanders must work and must be clear of obstructions
• sander hoses may not have holes or cracks
• there must be sand

Fuel tanks

• fuel tank hangers must be in good shape
• bolts and nuts must be present and tight; nuts should be facing out so they can be inspected

Brake shoes and rigging

• brake shoes must be properly aligned with wheels; if not, heat and bend rigging to correct
• shoes must not be worn out or seriously damaged; check brake shoe keys

MU cables

• must be secured at both ends
• don't leave lying on walkway

Handrails, grabirons

• must have 2 1/2" clearance under grab irons and railings; straighten those bent ones
• if you have added ditchlights, make sure you haven't violated clearance rules around the light boxes!

Light bulbs

• if there is a light fixture, anywhere, it must work
• if there is a light fixture, it must have a working light bulb in it--no exceptions!
• engine room lights included--all of them! nose compartment lights included, too.
• class lights are included, even if not used!
• weld over unused class lights; remove unused fixtures in nose, engine room, electrical cabs, etc.

Steps

• edges must be painted a contrasting color
• cracks around bolts must be repaired
• bolts must be present and tight
• there must be risers on the back of steps to prevent a foot from slipping through (read the rules!)

Oil leaks must be corrected and cleaned up

• on sides of fuel tanks
• truck frames
• traction motor cables

Traction motor covers and gear cases

• all sections must be intact and properly secured

Walkways

• must be free of oil, fuel, debris
• remove all possible snow and ice in winter! (UP locos that reach a shop snow covered cannot leave without being cleaned off)
• no rust holes or damage

Cab floor

• no water, no oil, no grease, no junk or parts
• NO holes in floor (even little bolt holes!)
• nothing sticking up (pipes, brackets, conduits, etc.)
• NOTHING lying on floor (no tools, brake shoes, hoses, MU jumpers, etc.)

Cab, general

• fusees must be stored in a container (NOT in the same container as torpedoes, if used)
• windshield wipers must work, have good blades, and blades must touch glass
• no broken or distorted glass
• DANGER 600 VOLTS or DANGER HI VOLTAGE must be on doors and covers; on control stand, too!
• seats must be secure (sorry, no folding chairs)
• door handles and latches must work properly
• doors are NOT allowed to stick
• tools must not be lying around; many suppliers offer tool boxes and racks for holding hoses, jumpers, tools, brake shoes, etc.--use them!

Engine room

• DANGER 600 VOLTS or DANGER HI VOLTAGE must be on main generator/alternator covers and outside of hood doors
• no visible oil or fuel leaks (notes this is really a judgement call, but the cleaner the better)
• EMD's in particular: V of engine (around base of stacks) must be cleaned regularly and be free of oil
• exhaust manifolds and stacks: bolts present and tight, gaskets good, no leaks, no holes
• sumps (bottom of engine room) must be free of oil, rags, trash, dirt, junk
• air compressor compartment must be free of oil; knuckles, tools, air hoses, etc. stored there must be secured in racks
• fire extinguishers must be present and operable

Couplers

• heights must be correct
• no cracks, no unreasonable wear

Cut levers

• must operate properly
• should be accessible when standing on bottom step
• must have proper clearances (even when pulled!)

Paperwork

• valid periodic and daily inspection forms must be in place
• do NOT leave ANY blanks in daily form; inspect every day, whether locomotive is used or not, or else indicate out of service day

All items covered by FRA regulations are important. This information is intended to help you prioritize your efforts.

Thanks to RPCA for hosting this seminar. Visit them on the web at http://www.rpca.org.

Copyright (c) 2000 by Paul Ganter

This document may be reproduced and distributed freely as long as the copyright notice remains intact and you do not charge for the information. Thanks.