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Report of Engine Cab Condition Committee Meeting
Oct. 11, 1996, Prince George
by
D. Moorhouse
Attendance
| David Moorhouse |
Bob St.Criox |
| Harry Ulch |
|
| Rik Campbell |
|
| Rick Morgan |
|
| Lloyd Sopel |
|
| Dick Yeomans |
|
GENERAL
Dick Yeomans attends to express UTU concerns about Dash 7’s and GM’s—cab
too small for 3 seat layout. Concerns about size of congestion in cab if crossing
accident, insufficient baggage rack, 2 doors only. Sopel responds that resolution must
come from higher level.
Yeomans adamant that no one ride second unit, second unit historically the one that
suffers most in derailment. R. Campbell agrees 3 persons and baggage impractical.
Sopel to write B. Rose, B. Sharpe, Ruddel, etc., copies to committee.
Yeomans expresses concern about suitability of CAT toilets, must go outside to use,
concern about using the toilet while moving, complaints from members about being too cold,
suggest CATs be used trailing only. Ulch suggests sticker be placed on front door advising
movement be halted before using toilet.
Eng’s 631 and 32 at P. Geo., dirty, smoky, oily. Sopel replies shops were under
impression that these units to be retired soon so maintenance fell off. Sopel commits to
maintaining to standards eg. seats, exhaust leaks, oil leaks, gauge lights, heaters,
bells, smoke etc. to be done by end of Nov.
OLD BUSINESS
 | Noise level testing on Dash 8 w/EFI upgrade not yet done, not up to full horsepower,
only at 4140 HP. Testing to be done when upgrades finished. |
| Request outside impulse noise level on whistle of 631-32 in response to hearing injury.
Testing to be done. |
| Air quality in tunnels - gone to GC of A and OH & S. |
| GPS and emergency locator beacon - no action, item open. Ulch looking for additude /
accident alerter, says ERD on CN beltpacks go off in RTC’s office. Ulch to write
Garlock, Nicholls regarding same. |
| Magnetic clips will be supplied by rules dept., H. U. to query Brent Few as to when
available. |
| CN power trailing unit unsuitable for lead on return leg of coal trips. Garlock did not
issue instruction to inspect trailing unit before leaving terminal acct. D. Klitch snuffed
it. Sopel say bulletin to be issued regardless. Warm fridge issue due to CN power
remaining shutdown until required still requires action. (Instruct CN to start units prior
to call). |
| Ergonomic Study – safety dept. will not conduct ergonomic study citing existing
reports from other railways. Moorhouse states that it is prudent of us to properly
evaluate work we have done, to draft a letter on behalf of committee to R. Nicholls.
Copies to committee members. |
| 2nd blanket in first aid kits not complete 20 / 80 done, open |
| Stretcher installation status unchanged |
| Emergency equipment location chart now standardised |
| Request first aid kit location on GE’s be moved to inside cab rather than between
doors as the kits freeze up. |
| Bell damper device, not suitable, Pandrol test bell appears to be good, noise levels in
cab reduced, sound outside cab slightly higher |
| Toilet flaps, bending appears to have stopped, toilet vent all checked and are all
working, suggest turning on fan and closing all windows to positively pressurise when
toilet in use |
| Sinks, soap dispensers, no change on GM’s, Dash 7’s have them on upgrade, Dash
8’s 3 / 30 done. Soap is stock item, dispensers should be full. |
| Paper towels - Sopel related problem to materials management, sourced new towels that
should be more suitable. Item closed. |
| SBU storage brackets - slowly progressing installation of racks on rear dropsheets. |
| Gold stripe air hoses to be supplied on all locos. |
| Double shelf couplers - concern from UTU and CUTE that these could pose hazard in
derailment, Sopel to contact AAR and manufacturer for reasons why they are supplied. |
| Radio headsets, budgeted only for CAT’s and electric’s. Moorhouse provides
information on music-capable headsets recommended by CanAlert study. (Enclosed) Sopel to
forward info to B. Rose for budget consideration along with timeframe query. |
| Dangerous goods document pockets - 4616, 4619, 3608, 3609 have them, ongoing. |
| Portable radio chargers on engine - 3 types needed, info fwrd to B. Rose, response
pending |
| Adjustment knobs on older style Airchief seats not yet done |
| Seat material cleaning schedule yet to be instituted |
| Toaster rack, corners to be cut to fit hotplate |
| Fridge racks sliding out - fix not yet done |
| Side Display Speedometers - Material problems DoneCAT’s12/27
| GM’s 13/16 |
| Dash 7 4/16 |
|
| Speedo lighting on GE’s too dim - solution pending |
| Beep on locotrol brake controls not loud enough - investigate volume increase |
| DB /motoring performance on Dash 7 - excessive wheel slip - info arrived, solution in
pipe, power still limited under 25 mph |
| Dash 7 has new low-back middle seat, understood future seat purchases would be high-back
and low-back seats in dash 8’s would be swapped out. UTU contends that 3 seat
configuration in Dash 7’s too crowded, unsafe. Ulch feels desk location should be
closer to Conductor’s seat. |
| Eng. 622 rib pad installed - item closed |
| 6 Baltaur seats purchased for installation in CAT’s |
| Dirt and Grime on CAT’s - traction motor blower too large, not standard, money
available to re-do blower motors. |
| Durox seals on Dash 7 doors - doors may need replacing (warped), test durox seals on
CAT’s and GM’s - Dash 8 air (drafts) coming in through control stand, will
investigate |
| Prime oven in CAT’s - suggest trying one up high on front center |
| Full fly mirror on Conductors side of CAT’s - not required, item closed |
| GM’s oven location - not acceptable over fridge behind conductor, will impair
vision, OK on top of fridge if fridge relocated to original position in center of cab.
Solution depends on whether or not 3rd seat installed |
| GM’s, tray over heater on engineman’s side installed |
| Dash 7’s try to move conductor’s table closer to conductor, 3602, 07, 08, 10
upgraded, 3 more underway, 3607 - full overhaul done incl. new engine |
Durox seals for Dash 7’s to be included as std. in upgrade
3610 baggage rack needs improvement
Swivel visors to be included in future upgrades
| Dash 8 |
- drafts under investigation
- Conductors desk 6/30 done 7th underway, Moorhouse suggests padding sharp
edge of kneewell beside relocated emerg. Valve
- Ovens, goal is 1 a week
| Dash 9 |
| - vibration - letter to GE to fix (under warranty), speculation that it is a frame
design problem, fuel tank, harmonic vibration. Answer pending from GE, Sopel to keep group
updated |
| - No action yet on wiper noise, park feature |
| Non-skid surface and clips to be installed as Dash 8 conductor’s desks, 4 ovens
done |
| Electric engines - meeting scheduled with northern contingent to disscuss |
NEW BUSINESS
| R. Campbell |
- 640’s future? Sopel says they want to keep ‘em going for another 2 years.
Request upgrade to present standard, otherwise lead service in non-CCO territory
- Questions benefit of labour relations as members of committee
- Budds, seating needs replacing, both sides. Drafts, water coming in
| B. St. Croix |
- Need standard for field maintenance when engines are on work trains for long periods,
Sople replies maintenance done at request of RTC
| D. Moorhouse |
- Old style cond. Desk lamps, guards fixed? Yes
| R. Morgan |
- Electrical leakage test? Done every 90 days
Next meeting, 0900 Tues. Jan 28 1997 at North Vancouver yard office
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