If you have the January 1958 issue of "Model Railroader" magazine, (page
58-59) there is a photo article by Bernard Corbin about the diesel service
facilities at Red Oak, Iowa. Among the great 50's photos was one that caught
my eye that shows a boxcar body that was used to house a "...heater that
keeps loco's radiator water [note hoses] warm in cold weather." Apparently
the switcher assigned to Red Oak was shut down for extended periods of time
and during subfreezing weather it was hooked up by "imbecile" hoses to the
heater in the boxcar body. Has anyone ever heard of this practice or know
where the fittings were located on the locomotive? This arrangement is not to
be confused with the on board overnight heaters installed on some SW, GP and
SD locomotives.
A reprint of the subject article would be great filler material for a
"Zephyr"
Jerry Albin
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