operation of sunshades on a modern diesel

Engineer-Joe posted:

Could a real engineer help me learn about the sunshades on a modern diesel? They appear to me that they are operational in positioning. That is, they seem to be able to fold down when not needed and I've also seen them in what appears to be some type of operational position extended upwards.

 So do they lock in some position up?

Yes.

Can you push them manually?

Yes, very easily.

Electric?... or?

Nope. Just manual, i.e. either "up" or folded down and out of the way for running through a wash rack.

Do they go in any position between collapsed and up?

No.

 

I need to make a set for my new diesel I'm building. I considered having them move up or down.

Thank you again Jack.

Sunshades? 
I never thought of them as a sunshade. However, they did help to keep the rain off your head when sticking it out the window. These things didn't move with one finger. There was enough friction that you had to put some effort into getting them to move. Consequently, you could position them part way, yet, there was no in-between notch to hold them there like it was when fully raised.
The only time that I can think of that I needed to move one was in a close clearance situation so it wouldn't get torn off!

Actual "Sunvisors", just like the ones inside your car to block the sun from your eyes, were provided inside the cab. These could be moved to most anywhere you needed them to go and thumbscrews could be tightened to hold them in place. 

I have two types on my 44 Tonners. The GN51 has a fixed shade that won't move. Same shape as the one in your picture. 

My PRR units have Canvas Cloth units believe it or not. The fabric is long gone, and will be redone soon. The bracket is as Hot water describes, you can raise and lower it with two positions and it will stay in the notches bent in the arm. Crude but functional. It's not like a marine shade on a boat. Almost like a heavy duty coat hanger. My wind screens are also notched.

I will see if I can find some pictures of them in use. 

Thanks all! I appreciate the info.

It's great to learn all about, what you're trying to model.

I have never done much modeling inside the cab. I think it would be a nice addition, to make the model better.

The common side window "sun shades" -- the proper term is cab awnings -- are spring loaded, not coil springs, but a single-leaf spring, so that they will stay either open or closed.  By rule, they are supposed to be closed on trailing units.  As far as rain protection, they are better than nothing, but some of them allow some rain to drip down between where the awningand the cab side are bolted together.

The older canvas type used on steam engines by some railroads, and also lasting on diesel applications on locomotives built up to 1960, were a heavy steel wire frame with canvas attached, and the canvas was also attached to the cab side using wood blocks.  When extended and the locomotive was traveling at high speed, the canvas puffs up like a sail and rattled the steel frame endlessly.