Gear case fluid sensor

A drive train of a locomotive, the drive train comprising:

• a traction motor configured to drive a pinion gear;
• a gear wheel engaging the pinion gear at a gear mesh, the pinion gear configured to rotate the wheel gear;
• and
• a gear case surrounding the gear wheel and having a reservoir holding a lubrication fluid, a lubrication fluid drain, and a lubrication fluid level sensor, the lubrication fluid level sensor comprising:
• a frame having a hollow coupling component configured to attach to the lubrication fluid drain;
• a lug insertable into the hollow coupling component having a first connection end;
• an elongated flexible sensor blade attached to the lug at a trailing end of the flexible sensor blade, the flexible sensor blade configured to be inserted through the lubrication fluid drain into the gear case and measure a fluid level of the lubrication fluid in the gear case;
• a connector having second connection end attached to the first connection end and a third connection end;
• and
• a cover attached to the frame, the cover has a fourth connection end inside of an aperture of the cover, and the fourth connection end is attached to the third connection end.

A method of attaching a fluid level sensor to a gear case of a locomotive, the method including:

• attaching a hollow coupling component of a frame of the fluid level sensor to a fluid drain of the gear case;
• inserting an elongated flexible sensor blade of the fluid level sensor attached at a trailing end to a lug of the fluid level sensor through the hollow coupling component into the gear case, the lug being inserted inside of the hollow coupling component, the lug having a first connection end positioned away from the gear case, and the flexible sensor blade configured to measure a fluid level of a fluid in the gear case;
• attaching a connector of the fluid level sensor to the first connection end of the lug at a second connection end of the connector;
• attaching a cover of the fluid level sensor to the frame, the cover having a fourth connection end inside of an aperture of the cover, and the fourth connection end attaching to a third connection end of the connector.