RearOfSignal wrote:What do you consider long after or before arrival and departure? And how often is multiple occasions? Could be as simple as the conductor didn't center the mode switch. It's the same as asking why were the headlights left on the rear? Maybe somebody goofed. What more of a reason are you looking for? It was not done intentionally, it causes quite a stir in office buildings above when they fill with smoke, so if someone left it on they'll be talked to about it.
I originally thought it to be accidental, but then it seemed to be happening more often than I had expected, and wondered if some new reason had developed beyond those which I already knew (which you enumerate above). I wondered if the P32's were developing problems preventing their use on 3rd rail (as happened in the latter days of the FL-9's)...
As for how long, I've noticed diesel still running ~5-10 minutes after arrival. I noted this because sometimes I end up riding the south-most car of the train, and then on arrival at GCT I wait until the platform clears a bit before attempting to walk the length of the platform northward to the Northwest Passage exit (thereby avoiding the salmon heading upstream experience).
On some other occasions, I have arrived at the platform early for the train home (say, 10-15 minutes before departure) and noticed a LOT of diesel fumes, exhaust, etc. in the north end of the platform area, and noted a few running diesels.
Concerning the comparison to headlights left on the rear, I understand that mistakes happen, and sometimes the lights are left on, the homework left on the desk, or the keys left in the ignition of the car. Leaving the car in the garage with the engine running, on the other hand, is a bit more uncommon...
Spidey!!!
