Just curious, have any of the organizations represented here ever held any classes for their staff and volunteers in how to read physical schematic wiring diagrams for diesel-electric locomotives in either EMD or ALCO-GE print formats?

PC

While not exactly formal classes, I have taken time to teach reading wiring diagrams, both EMD and GE/ALCO to several members of the Reading Co. Tech & Historical Society and have offered my collection of prints to other historic groups. Most volunteers with an electricians background think it should be a breeze to read a locomotive diagram, but alas reading it is one thing, trouble shooting is an all together different ball game. One needs to know how the components work in the big picture before troubleshooting effectively. The ICS series on diesel locomotives can be a big help for learning how things work on the locomotive. If anyone needs an EMD, Alco or GE maintenance instruction you can send me a PM or email and I will see if I can provide you with a copy.

Mike Tillger

Somewhat off topic but does anyone remember the Audel's instructional book series called the "New Electric Library" ? I don't know about the earlier or later (if any) editions but the ones from the 1950's had some very interesting RR related info (about traction, signals, etc.) and they had a set of wiring diagrams for a representative diesel-electric locomotive.

There are 8 diagrams in all and it seems like they cover the entire wiring of the locomotive. I don't think it was explicitly stated but from what I could gather it was the entire wiring of a DL-109 (definitely two engine power). There's some useful knowledge to have these days! LOL

I remember years ago studying the contact closure diagram for the throttle and trying to figure out if it matched modern MU systems.

Steve

Mike and Steve, thanks for the information.

Wow it has been a long long time since I walked through PP716 (New Haven DL-109 0716) when it was sitting in derelict condition at Dover Street Yard. Those things must have been a joy to troubleshoot, with the electrical cabinets for both engines way in the back right corner of the carbody about forty feet from the cab.

PC

The Electro Motive Division of General Motors published the book with the title "How to Read Wiring Diagrams", about 16 4" x 6" pages, mostly blue ink with a cardboard cover. NHIR's copy was not properly printed. About 1985, I asked EMD for a better copy, but it was out of print. Modern diagrams are different from what's in "1st generation" versions.

We should also remember that the original wiring diagram may not be correct. The older a locomotive is, the more likely it is to have received "modifications" and "workarounds". This is a common situation in the world of electric railway cars and locomotives.

I have seen about a half dozen editions of the EMD reading physical schematics instruction booklet over the years, they seemed to follow major changes in the product line by a year or two. Each time they re-issued the book it got longer and some of the drawing conventions changed, as Jim pointed out in his post. The technology was advancing and more and more wiring symbols and example circuits showed up in the newer editions.

PC