Model Train Journal

Good day,

The two photos below show some older Great Northern electric units. A question has been asked
about the orange "boxes" that are on the top of the engines at the ends. What exactly were they?
It looks like they could almost be connected to an adjacent unit; but not quite. Any information
would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Jim K

Hello Jim (K)

First ...
HEY -- how is great HO Scale Chicago EL Layout system coming. By the way -- as you are a member of -- so I expect that you know I have a few weeks ago moved our NYC Transit Modelers Group AWAY from Yahoo groups and over to Groups.io.

SECOND -- The Answer to your question ..............

Those orange boxes and protruding (spring loaded by the way) T shaped arms are hi voltage BUSS CONTACTOR BAR to pass the Hi Voltage operating current between one or more coupled Locomotives at roof height -- rather than via using the traditional thick heavy BUSS Jumper Cables down at coupler level. Theese roof mounted buss jumper bars are longer and larger than would be usual on MU passenger cars (*) that used them, mainly because they also have to extend above and protrude over to the outer ends of the "porches" beyond the cab-roof-line-end of the locomotives

(*) The Philly-Reading PA area Reading Railroad's older electric MU cars had the same car to car rooftop buss jumper contact system system -- here are some photos from my collection



Regards - Joe F

Joe,

Thanks for the information. That is what a couple of us thought might be happening but no one knew for sure.

Jim K