Chuck Sartor posted:My final .02. There were 2 (or more) experienced men in the cab and it wasn't their first rodeo as far as operating with a diesel pusher. How they could both 'forget' the MU box while the diesel was pushing and not idling down while the steamer was braking just seems ridicules.
Yes,,,,,it certainly DOES sound "ridicules" (sic), but lots of other ridiculous events have happened since January 2011.
Ed came across the cab and jumped in the right hand seat
No, he simply reached across Teds lap and pulled the reverser gear into reverse, then cracked the throttle open. When the train went past the Steam Team Mechanical men on the ground, with the drivers locked & sliding on 844 (there was a video of this posted on the internet shortly after), they subsequently heard the diesel drop to idle.
and took over and put it in reverse and crack the throttle. These guys are not stupid.
Well, that is simply an opinion based statement on your part. You have never actually worked with either of them. Yes, they may not be "stupid" but a number of stupid things have been done.
I would guess they were in panic mode about a situation that they didn't have control over.
I believe the term is "Loss of situational awareness.". It happens.
