While preparing for the next day's display, crews repositioned Metrolink F40PH 800 and F59PH 873, and that necessitated uncoupling the two locomotives. Once the angle cocks on the train lines were closed, F40PH 800 (originally Amtrak 396) backed away from the 873, the couplers released and the hoses stretched - until one pair of MU hoses, pulled as taught as possible, finally separated with a loud whoosh of air. Photographed at the moment of release, the effects of the sudden burst of air, disturbing the accumulated dirt and dust on these engines' pilots, creates a small cloud at the hoses' ends. Almost immediately, the other pairs of hoses followed suit, and the sound of all the briefly rushing air demonstrated why the crew was wearing ear plugs. |