| Exact day of month not recorded. The motorman's cab of a CTA 4000 series car. He has but two controls. In his right hand is the handle for the power, which he notched up. It changes the way the four motors (one for each axle) are wired together, i.e., how many in series and how many in parallel. If he sets it for all motors in series the voltage is divided equally between all four and the train moves slowly. If he moves the controller all the way up so all motors are in parallel, each motor sees the full voltage and the car accelerated to its maximum speed. The handle of the controller is removable and he takes it with him whenever he leaves the car so no one else can move the car. In his left hand is the air brake lever. If to have ever stood near an electric traction vehicle you have no doubt heard the air pumps come on and off. He also can blow the horn and turn on the windshield wiper, but not much else. Simplicity! For a picture of the exterior of a CTA 4000 series car see: http://railfan44.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1403702 |