The Montezuma Yardmaster Wrote:
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> So, it's an un-necessary item if crews are
> adequately trained and the train is properly
> handled. Sounds like another example of trying to
> "idot-proof" something un-necessarily.

SP installed the drawbar blocks on the SW1500s and made changes to how they could be M.U.ed in a road consist after a number of derailments, probably the most famous one being when they were tried as Colton Helpers and had an incident at Loma Linda while shoving.

UP now prefers its engineers to use other than "stretch braking" when practicle. The concern is that a locomotive without ACC riding Dead-In-Train even near the rear of the train can be a potential problem during slack run-in.