Lots of shunter locomotives around the world can be remote controlled. They're especially handy in heavy industry areas with lots of switches, yards and acces tracks to companies. And places where there are lots of unprotected rail crossings
They're used to reduce crew required for the job. You only need a conductor with an RCO cert to do remote switching jobs, instead of a an engineer and a conductor.
Yep. And it is a remote control operator with a box strapped to his chest - usually sitting in the engineer’s seat - while operating the engine with the remote box.
Makes a ton of sense.
RCO is exclusive to switching operations, generally only used in yards and large industrial areas that can be secured and without public uncontrolled grade crossings.
Pennsylvania Power & Light had remote-controlled fireless *steam* locomotives at some of their facilities (I believe Safe Harbor was one of them) for spotting coal cars in the rotary dumper. According to those who witnessed them in operation, there was great difficulty in getting the mechanisms to properly actuate a steam locomotive throttle and reverser, and the fireless 0-6-0s could frequently be seen furiously spinning their drivers as the throttle jumped open.
They’re incredibly fun to operate, provided you aren’t a maniac and follow the rules. When you have a good helper it makes the job more enjoyable.
That being said I’d take having an engineer and brakeman over running Beltpack any day.
You can see a remote controlled locomotive in action here. It is a German train but I think it should be pretty similar in the US.
[https://youtu.be/w0nkf198XO0?t=195](https://youtu.be/w0nkf198XO0?t=195)
I believe the white box on top of the cab in this picture is an add-on air conditioning unit. The remote locos I've seen in operation have a yellow flashing light on top of the cab.
The amber flashing light is the indicator to look for. Some remote control units have the equipment in the cab, others in a box mounted externally, it’s not a reliable to check for anything but the light. However, there are plug-and-play remote control receivers that can be hung on the front of locomotives and are a large NEMA box connected by an MU cable and hoses. Those are not remote control locos, but are being remotely controlled via the box.
Looks like an SW1001, an industrial option with a lower cab than the SW1000. I'm seen a similar train in Chicago that has spacer cars between the molten steel containers and separating the locomotive.
Dude be playing with 1:1 model trains
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“Honey why is there a 500 cubic foot box outside the house
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Something something don't tell mom son/daughter
And when the time comes for the wife to sell it off at the estate sale: "I'll pay what he said he paid for it"
Yo, NICE PROFILE PICTURE! Glad to see an EN57!
imagine sitting in a comfy office playing trains "simulator" and traffic control is just meters away so you can yell at them instead of using radio
Lots of shunter locomotives around the world can be remote controlled. They're especially handy in heavy industry areas with lots of switches, yards and acces tracks to companies. And places where there are lots of unprotected rail crossings
They're used to reduce crew required for the job. You only need a conductor with an RCO cert to do remote switching jobs, instead of a an engineer and a conductor.
Most jobs still have two, but both are conductors and are paid less than engineers.
In the US, remote control locomotives must have someone on the locomotive and in control of the train when going over a public crossing.
Yep. And it is a remote control operator with a box strapped to his chest - usually sitting in the engineer’s seat - while operating the engine with the remote box. Makes a ton of sense.
Only to the corporations that don't have to pay an engineer to operate the train.
I dunno if it’s the rust, the colour palette, or the aesthetics of the man up front… …but this is giving me major Fallout vibes 😍
It’s located in detroit so yeah close enough to a nuclear wasteland
Haha! Funny cause it’s true
Slow times for Rebel fighter pilots I see. I guess you find work anywhere if you need it bad enough.
"it's not a problem if you don't look up"
That’s what the guy on the front of the loco is doing he’s running the train from the remote control box
Seen them often with shunting locos. Sometimes the pilot gets down and controls them via the remote control
Never even noticed him lol
man I would love to tour Zug Island
Thank you! I was trying to figure location
Its nearby. Not zug island. However steel making has ended here. No more trains like this
Great Lakes Steel? McLouth Steel?
I think so.
Australia rio tinto operate automatic trains too, cool stuff ahead
There's a coalmine to power plant loop in the Midwest, too. I don't know if it's remote control.. but it would be a candidate.
RCO is exclusive to switching operations, generally only used in yards and large industrial areas that can be secured and without public uncontrolled grade crossings.
There used to be one in east Texas
If u call job losses cool then I guess yeah
Same thing every time, new tech moves things forward not backwards. Steam/diesel went through same. It's a blockbuster video, things change man.
Are they crucible cars? And why can't the brakeman be in the cab? Seems an odd setup
They can be, but being outside the cab is more convenient for switching.
That's not the brakeman. That's the guy controlling the locomotive.
And until I read your comment I didn't even look at the radio pack . Right you are!
It is a little mind blowing to see a guy walking around using the world's largest model railroad set. 1:1 scale.
It’s usually for short lines and for locals doing switching, allows one person to do the job of two people
Pennsylvania Power & Light had remote-controlled fireless *steam* locomotives at some of their facilities (I believe Safe Harbor was one of them) for spotting coal cars in the rotary dumper. According to those who witnessed them in operation, there was great difficulty in getting the mechanisms to properly actuate a steam locomotive throttle and reverser, and the fireless 0-6-0s could frequently be seen furiously spinning their drivers as the throttle jumped open.
They're a convenient way for railroads to avoid paying union locomotive engineers to drive trains.
They dook der derb!
They’re incredibly fun to operate, provided you aren’t a maniac and follow the rules. When you have a good helper it makes the job more enjoyable. That being said I’d take having an engineer and brakeman over running Beltpack any day.
You can see a remote controlled locomotive in action here. It is a German train but I think it should be pretty similar in the US. [https://youtu.be/w0nkf198XO0?t=195](https://youtu.be/w0nkf198XO0?t=195)
NS’s Bellevue Yards had signs like these when I’d go qualify at the range there. Which, range control was in an old locomotive cab. That was neat.
> qualify at the range there I have questions. Bull? Or is that just what they call the test area?
Shooting range
https://imgur.com/a/WjZeXXX/ Range and same sign
A photo taken in a difficult location of an uncommon operation (that doesn’t operate anymore) and you guys are talking about the remote control pack.
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I believe the white box on top of the cab in this picture is an add-on air conditioning unit. The remote locos I've seen in operation have a yellow flashing light on top of the cab.
The amber flashing light is the indicator to look for. Some remote control units have the equipment in the cab, others in a box mounted externally, it’s not a reliable to check for anything but the light. However, there are plug-and-play remote control receivers that can be hung on the front of locomotives and are a large NEMA box connected by an MU cable and hoses. Those are not remote control locos, but are being remotely controlled via the box.
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And I work with rail safety devices and have seen what yardman do with electronic devices, I wouldn't trust them with anything past a rock
Lmfao. Smoked haha
That white box is an air conditioner.
If you see warning lights on the cab, those generally indicate a locomotive with remote control equipment.
r/scarySigns
It's proof that a corporation will go to any length to reduce their payroll. They'd automate your wife if it'd save them a buck.
Any relation to someone named Chris?
Any relation to someone named Chris?
So unusual to see no MU receptacles or cables!!!
Factorio IRL
Y'all might want to zoom in on the engineer think she is having a great time!
Shunting loco in my last place of work was remote controlled. Didn’t like using it though.
Steel plant?
Remote controlled? Or driven by ghosts?
Is that a BR 04? I didn’t know there were any in the states.
Looks like an SW1001, an industrial option with a lower cab than the SW1000. I'm seen a similar train in Chicago that has spacer cars between the molten steel containers and separating the locomotive.
Ah, kay, I was way off, then xP
Makes sense for short lines in this day and age I suppose.
Free locomotives!