What is the purpose of a Daily Inspection for locomotives?

The purpose of a Daily Inspection for locomotives is to ensure the locomotive is safe and operational. This inspection involves a thorough check of various systems and components such as brakes, signals, lights, and other critical features to confirm that they are functioning correctly and meet safety standards. Ensuring safety and operational readiness is vital for both the crew and the train service, as any issues identified can be addressed before the locomotive is put into service, thus preventing accidents and ensuring a smooth operation.

While cleaning the locomotive and recording mileage might be beneficial tasks, they are not the primary aim of the Daily Inspection. Conducting a fuel efficiency test is also not within the scope of this inspection, which focuses on safety checks rather than performance metrics.