According to fuel conservation guidelines, trailing locomotives in the lead consist should be isolated under what condition?

According to fuel conservation guidelines, trailing locomotives in the lead consist should be isolated under what condition?

• A. When not necessary to maintain air pressure
• B. Only during maintenance
• C. They should never be isolated
• D. They should always be attached to the train

Answer: (A)

Fuel conservation in locomotive operations focuses on running only what’s needed. If the trailing locomotives in the lead consist aren’t required to supply or maintain the train’s air pressure, they should be isolated to save fuel. The braking system relies on air pressure generated by the locomotives’ compressors, and as long as the lead unit(s) can maintain the required brake pipe and main reservoir pressures, the trailing units can be shut down without hurting braking capability. Reconnecting them isn’t necessary until air pressure would drop or more power is needed. Keeping trailing units always attached wastes fuel, and isolating only during maintenance misses opportunities for savings during normal operation. They also aren’t never to be isolated if the air pressure can be maintained by the lead unit.

Fuel conservation in locomotive operations focuses on running only what’s needed. If the trailing locomotives in the lead consist aren’t required to supply or maintain the train’s air pressure, they should be isolated to save fuel. The braking system relies on air pressure generated by the locomotives’ compressors, and as long as the lead unit(s) can maintain the required brake pipe and main reservoir pressures, the trailing units can be shut down without hurting braking capability. Reconnecting them isn’t necessary until air pressure would drop or more power is needed.

Keeping trailing units always attached wastes fuel, and isolating only during maintenance misses opportunities for savings during normal operation. They also aren’t never to be isolated if the air pressure can be maintained by the lead unit.