Re: (erielack) The mystery of the handrails.

[Hhaines_@_aol.com]

Dear List,
I know I didn't read all the posts on this topic--modem on the Fritz.

However, the earlier EMD switchers probably all have home job handrails added 
around 1955-1956-1957 because of a New York law that went into effect at that 
time requiring the walkway handrails on all locomotives operating in NY.  It 
also was part of one of the union's negotiations.  What Erie and DLW did, as 
with the Baldwins, was add these handrails throughout each division, so 
eventually almost everything got them.

If you want specifics, there was a post a while back as we were reviewing 
handrails on Baldwins.

The switchers (all but the ALCos and a few late EMD and FM models) were all 
delivered with end platform and hood-only handrails, with the walkway 
handrails added later.

Howard Haines
ELHS #1447 

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