Maybe to reduce/minimize the risk of sparks or flames that could come out of
the stack when switching indoors or around sensitive areas of the plant (areas
with flammable materials, places where paint fumes may be present, etc).
Incidentally, the only plant I've heard them being used for on CP is the
sprawling GM Oshawa complex. I wonder if there's a story behind this
somewhere...
Dan D
--- In cpsig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "railwayman" <stevelucas3@...> wrote:
I'm wondering why special spark arrestors would be fitted to loco's switching
an auto assembly plant. A loco entering a plant and emitting exhaust often
results in workers walking off the assembly line.
This is the case in the Ford Talbotville plant near St. Thomas, ON. Crews
are told to use "reachers" when switching it so that the loco does not enter
the plant.
Steve Lucas.
