Hot Water posted:Dave,
What usually comes apart first is the commutator, and/or the ends of the coils that are soldered/tig welded into each comm-bar. Such destruction is historically caused by serious overheat of the traction motors (stall burns also hurt the commutator). Once one piece comes loose, the the TM "bird nests" and that all she wrote! Generally the TM is then locked up, with sliding wheels. The pinion gear must then be cut in order to allow the wheels to turn again.
Now what? On the main line with no access with a road repair truck?
