Shunt engines -- originally called "poling locomotives" -- were an improved method of spotting ore railcars under the Hulett unloaders. These electric locomotives freed up steam locomotives from spotting duty and were economical to operate. One engineer could spot cars on two of the four tracks under the Huletts. Only two of these locomotives were need to service cars on all four tracks. Another advantage was that the shunt engine could work directly under the Huletts where the operator and his helper could see exactly where the receiving car should be.

Read an article from The Electric Journal of 1917 about "Poling Locomotives."

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