Drop plates cover the gap between railway locomotives and tenders, connected by hooks or bolts with wires and cables. They are hinged and lifted out of the way when units are engaged, allowing easy access for workers. Chamfering eliminates edges, making walking safe. More engines mean more drop plates.
Drop plates are large, hinged pieces of metal that are made to cover the gaps between the railway locomotives and the tender, which is the next unit directly behind it. These two pieces are connected by hooks or large bolts. Numerous wires and cables will also connect between the two, leaving two different types of hazards for rail teams to deal with. The anti-fall plate effectively covers these risks, as well as allowing railway crew members to walk from one part of the train to another through them.
The way the drop plate works is that because they are hinged, they can be lifted out of the way when units are engaged. Before the locomotive begins to reverse along the tracks, the plate will be raised so that it is out of the way of the crew ensuring the connection is solid and secure. Once the cars are connected to the main motor, or motors, the cables will be connected together and tested to make sure they are working properly. Having the drop plate in its upright position allows easy access for people working on the links, allowing them to complete their tasks while standing, instead of having to crawl under the large metal plate. The drop plates will be lowered and secured in place, effectively covering the connections and cables and allowing a safe walking area for people who need to move between the two sections of the train.
Since the drop plates could become a walking hazard for crew members, they have been designed so that all edges are eliminated. This is usually done by chamfering so that when closed they form more of a ramp than a step. This makes walking on them easy and safe because, even if the person is in a hurry, there are no large pieces of metal that could cause a fall. Edge liners can also be placed over the ends to help cover produced lips as well as protruding hinges if they have been installed on the top edge rather than below. These plates add security and comfort between the locomotive and the tender. The more engines placed on the train, the more drop plates will be used to cover connections and cables while allowing crew members to move freely and safely between the cars operating the train.
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