The Johnson bar is located in the cab and used by the engineer to put the locomotive in forward, neutral, or reverse. There are typically a series of notches in the arch designed to hold the lever in any particular position. Often, the engineer will move the bar all the way forward or backward and then “notch back” a bit once the locomotive is underway to make the engine run more efficiently.
 

Two pieces of steel were stacked and clamped on the rotary table and alignment holes were drilled, followed by milling the arch radius.
 

Both arch pieces were bolted together for alignment and re-positioned vertically on the rotary table to begin milling the notches.
 

Using a .125″ carbide endmill, the notching process was slow going. Eventually, the two arches will be spaced apart so that the Johnson bar lever will move freely back and forth. Lots of slow but sure milling activity caused some slight magnetism!
 

Main components of the Johnson bar assembled with spacers for the lever.
 

Grip link attached to the lockout lifter. The guide block holding the lifter is moveable for spring tension adjustment. The grip is bent from brass sheet.
 

Johnson bar mount has a bronze bearing holding the lifting yoke shaft.
 

View showing the lifting yoke and adjustable link which will connect to the reversing rocker shaft on the engine.