Cab (locomotive)
Encyclopedia
The cab, crew compartment or driver's compartment of a locomotive is the part of the locomotive housing the train driver or engineer
, the fireman or driver's assistant (secondman) (if any), and the controls necessary for the locomotive's operation.
locomotives, the cab is normally located to the rear of the firebox, although steam locomotives have sometimes been constructed in a cab forward
configuration.
The cab, or crew or driver's compartment of a diesel
or electric
locomotive will usually be found either inside a cabin attached to a hood unit
or cowl unit
locomotive, or forming one of the structural elements of a cab unit
locomotive.
The former arrangement is now the norm in North America for all types of diesel or electric locomotives. In Europe, most modern locomotives are cab units with two cabs, one at each end. However, the locomotives powering some high speed European trains are normally cab units with one cab, and European shunting locomotives are usually hood units.
, had no cab; the locomotive controls and a footplate
for the crew were simply left open to the elements. However, to protect locomotive crews against adverse weather conditions, locomotives gradually came to be equipped with a roof and protective walls, and the expression "cab" refers to the cabin created by such an arrangement.
By about 1850, high speed Crampton locomotive
s operating in Europe already had a much needed windshield giving some protection to the footplate area. Some other early locomotives were even fitted with a cab as part of a rebuilding program, an example being the locomotive John Bull
.
In Germany
, the locomotive cab was introduced by the Saxon railway director and writer Max Maria von Weber
. However, until 1950 the railway directorates of the German speaking countries continued to believe that a standing posture was essential to maximise crew vigilance. Steam locomotive drivers, who had to lean out of their cabs for better visibility, therefore frequently developed occupational diseases, along with rheumatism
, and electric locomotive drivers suffered from wear to the knees.
This unsatisfactory situation changed - with few exceptions - only with the construction of the German standard electric locomotives, which for the first time were equipped with crew seats. Meanwhile, the maintenance of crew vigilance became possible by technical means through the use of Sifa devices.
This article is based upon a translation of the German language version as at April 2010.
Railroad engineer
A railroad engineer, locomotive engineer, train operator, train driver or engine driver is a person who drives a train on a railroad...
, the fireman or driver's assistant (secondman) (if any), and the controls necessary for the locomotive's operation.
Cab locations
On steamSteam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
locomotives, the cab is normally located to the rear of the firebox, although steam locomotives have sometimes been constructed in a cab forward
Cab forward
The term cab forward refers to various rail and road vehicle designs which place the driver's compartment substantially farther towards the front than is common practice.- Rail locomotives :...
configuration.
The cab, or crew or driver's compartment of a diesel
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
or electric
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
locomotive will usually be found either inside a cabin attached to a hood unit
Hood unit
A hood unit, in railroad terminology, is a body style for diesel and electric locomotives. On a hood unit, the body of the locomotive is less than full-width for most of the locomotive's length, with walkways on the outside of the locomotive. In contrast, a cab unit has a full-width carbody for...
or cowl unit
Cowl unit
A cowl unit is a body style of diesel locomotive. The terminology is a North American one, though similar locomotives exist elsewhere. A cowl unit is one with full-width enclosing bodywork, similar to the cab unit style of earlier locomotives, but unlike the cab unit style, the bodywork is merely...
locomotive, or forming one of the structural elements of a cab unit
Cab unit
A cab unit and a carbody unit are body styles of locomotives in railroad terminology. While closely related, they are not exactly the same....
locomotive.
Typical features
In addition to the locomotive controls, a cab will typically be fitted with windshields, rectangular side windows, crew seats, heating, and sometimes radios, air conditioning and toilets.Historical development
The earliest locomotives, such as Stephenson's RocketStephenson's Rocket
Stephenson's Rocket was an early steam locomotive of 0-2-2 wheel arrangement, built in Newcastle Upon Tyne at the Forth Street Works of Robert Stephenson and Company in 1829.- Design innovations :...
, had no cab; the locomotive controls and a footplate
Footplate
The footplate of a steam locomotive is a large metal plate that rests on top of the frames and is normally covered with wooden floorboards. It is usually the full width of the locomotive and extends from the front of the cab to the rear of cab or coal bunker just above the buffer beam. The...
for the crew were simply left open to the elements. However, to protect locomotive crews against adverse weather conditions, locomotives gradually came to be equipped with a roof and protective walls, and the expression "cab" refers to the cabin created by such an arrangement.
By about 1850, high speed Crampton locomotive
Crampton locomotive
A Crampton locomotive is a type of steam locomotive designed by Thomas Russell Crampton and built by various firms from 1846. The main British builders were Tulk and Ley and Robert Stephenson and Company....
s operating in Europe already had a much needed windshield giving some protection to the footplate area. Some other early locomotives were even fitted with a cab as part of a rebuilding program, an example being the locomotive John Bull
John Bull (locomotive)
John Bull is a British-built railroad steam locomotive that operated in the United States. It was operated for the first time on September 15, 1831, and it became the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world when the Smithsonian Institution operated it in 1981...
.
In Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, the locomotive cab was introduced by the Saxon railway director and writer Max Maria von Weber
Max Maria von Weber
Max Maria von Weber was a German civil engineer who contributed to the development of railways in Austria and Germany.-Biography:...
. However, until 1950 the railway directorates of the German speaking countries continued to believe that a standing posture was essential to maximise crew vigilance. Steam locomotive drivers, who had to lean out of their cabs for better visibility, therefore frequently developed occupational diseases, along with rheumatism
Rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
, and electric locomotive drivers suffered from wear to the knees.
This unsatisfactory situation changed - with few exceptions - only with the construction of the German standard electric locomotives, which for the first time were equipped with crew seats. Meanwhile, the maintenance of crew vigilance became possible by technical means through the use of Sifa devices.
This article is based upon a translation of the German language version as at April 2010.