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(erielack) Odd handrails...

Was looking at photos of ex-Erie RS3's and GP7's over the weekend, and I
noticed that both the RS3's and GP7's have a taller drop-step section on the
ends (in Erie days, too). Best as I can tell, the GP7's starting at 1228
were fitted with these endrails (easily identifyable due to their "hump" in
the middle). All the RS3's seemed to have the raised drop step - these were
a different design than the GP7, as they had two heavy posts around the
drop-step, which also doubled as a taller hand grab.

Questions that come to my mind:

1. Why were GP7's 1200-1227 outfitted with a standard-height drop step? Why
the decision to add the taller step to the order beginning with the 1228?
(delivered starting in Feb. 1952) The RS3's were delivered with their taller
step from the start.
2. What was the purpose of these? I originally was going to say that they
were for MU'ing with the Baldwins, but a) I'm not sure if the Baldwins are
taller, and b) Baldwins couldn't MU with non-Baldwins (air throttles)

This is bugging me! Can anyone help? :)

	- Paul



Paul R. Tupaczewski______________
Lucent Technologies
SPN-CIO Technology Team
67 Whippany Road                 Voice: (973) 386-4966
Room 15C-121                           Fax: (973) 386-3538
Whippany, NJ 07981       E-mail: "paultup_@_lucent.com"
____________________________________


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