Remote control locomotive

Last updated
A remote control switcher locomotive operated by BNSF Railway. Note the strobe light above the cab and signage RemoteControlEquipped.JPG
A remote control switcher locomotive operated by BNSF Railway. Note the strobe light above the cab and signage

A remote control locomotive (also called an RCL) is a railway locomotive that can be operated with a remote control. It differs from a conventional locomotive in that a remote control system has been installed in one or more locomotives within the consist, which uses either a mechanical or radio transmitter and receiver system. The locomotive is operated by a person not physically located at the controls within the confines of the locomotive cab. [1] They have been in use for many years in the railroad industry, including industrial applications such as bulk material load-out, manufacturing, process and industrial switching. The systems are designed to be fail-safe so that if communication is lost the locomotive is brought to a stop automatically. [1]

Contents

History

United Kingdom

GWR pannier tank with autocoach on Bodmin & Wenford Railway 6435 GWR Pannier Tank with Autocoach on Bodmin & Wenford Railway (8354251690).jpg
GWR pannier tank with autocoach on Bodmin & Wenford Railway

One of the earliest remote control locomotives was the GWR Autocoach, which replaced the GWR steam rail motors on both operational cost and maintenance grounds. When running 'autocoach first', the regulator is operated by a linkage to a rotating shaft running the length of the locomotive, passing below the cab floor. This engages (via a telescopic coupling) with another shaft running the full length below the floor of the autocoach. This shaft is turned by a second regulator lever in the cab of the autocoach. The driver can operate the regulator, brakes and whistle from the far (cab) end of the autocoach; the fireman remains on the locomotive and (in addition to firing) also controls the valve gear settings. The driver can also warn of the train's approach using a large mechanical gong, prominently mounted high on the cab end of the autocoach, which is operated by stamping on a pedal on the floor of the cab. The driver, guard and fireman communicate with each other by an electric bell system.

North America

In North America remote controlled locomotives have been in use since the 1980s. In 1988, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a hazard information bulletin regarding their use. [2] By 1999 Canadian National had 115 locomotives equipped with remote control equipment, covering 70% of flat-yard switching and all of its hump yard operations. Canadian National estimated a savings of CA$20 million per year vs. traditional switching operations. [3]

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen expressed concerns about remote control locomotives. The union said that remote control locomotives were not as efficient as traditional engineer-in-cab switching operations while being more dangerous. [4]

In 2001, the US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recommended minimal guidelines for the operation of remote control locomotives. [5]

Union Pacific developed remote-control enabled locomotives, referred to as control car remote control locomotives (CCRCL). A CCRCL is a stripped-down locomotive fitted with remote control equipment. A CCRCL has no motive power and must be coupled to a standard locomotive. [6]

Present

An InterCity 125 in original British Rail livery near Chesterfield, Derbyshire British Rail Class 43 at Chesterfield.jpg
An InterCity 125 in original British Rail livery near Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Modern remote control systems are now based on digital signal technology, with most using time-division multiplexing transmission to cut-down on the number of cables or radio bandwidth required for integrated control.

The UK's InterCity 125 was the first passenger train to use TDM technology, introduced from 1976 to allow it to control up to eight carriages sandwiched between two Class 43 power cars.

Locotrol is a product of GE Transportation that enables distributed power sending signals from the lead locomotive to the remote units via radio control. Locotrol is installed on more than 8,500 locomotives around the world. [7] Users of the system include BHP Iron Ore, Westrail and Aurizon in Australia. [8] [9] [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Train</span> Series of powered rail vehicles

A train is a series of connected vehicles that run along a railway track and transport people or freight. Trains are typically pulled or pushed by locomotives, though some are self-propelled, such as multiple units. Passengers and cargo are carried in railroad cars, also known as wagons. Trains are designed to a certain gauge, or distance between rails. Most trains operate on steel tracks with steel wheels, the low friction of which makes them more efficient than other forms of transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiple unit</span> Self-propelled train

A multiple-unit train or simply multiple unit (MU) is a self-propelled train composed of one or more carriages joined together, which when coupled to another multiple unit can be controlled by a single driver, with multiple-unit train control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steam locomotive</span> Railway locomotive that produces its pulling power through a steam engine

A steam locomotive is a locomotive that provides the force to move itself and other vehicles by means of the expansion of steam. It is fuelled by burning combustible material to heat water in the locomotive's boiler to the point where it becomes gaseous and its volume increases 1,700 times. Functionally, it is a steam engine on wheels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conductor (rail)</span> Train crew member

A conductor or guard is a train crew member responsible for operational and safety duties that do not involve actual operation of the train/locomotive. The conductor title is most common in North American railway operations, but the role is common worldwide under various job titles. In Commonwealth English, a conductor is also known as guard or train manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distributed power</span>

In rail transport, distributed power (DP) is a generic term referring to the physical distribution—at intermediate points throughout the length of a train—of separate motive power groups. Such "groups" may be single units or multiple consists, and are remotely controlled from the leading locomotive. The practice allows locomotives to be placed anywhere within the length of a train when standard multiple-unit (MU) operation is impossible or impractical. DP can be achieved by wireless or wired (trainlined) means. Wired systems now provided by various suppliers use the cabling already extant throughout a train equipped with electronically controlled pneumatic brakes (ECP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tender (rail)</span> Steam locomotive fuel and water tank container

A tender or coal-car is a special rail vehicle hauled by a steam locomotive containing its fuel and water. Steam locomotives consume large quantities of water compared to the quantity of fuel, so their tenders are necessary to keep them running over long distances. A locomotive that pulls a tender is called a tender locomotive. Locomotives that do not have tenders and carry all their fuel and water on board the locomotive itself are called tank locomotives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diesel locomotive</span> Locomotive powered by a diesel engine

A diesel locomotive is a type of railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine. Several types of diesel locomotives have been developed, differing mainly in the means by which mechanical power is conveyed to the driving wheels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiple-unit train control</span>

Multiple-unit train control, sometimes abbreviated to multiple-unit or MU, is a method of simultaneously controlling all the traction equipment in a train from a single location—whether it is a multiple unit comprising a number of self-powered passenger cars or a set of locomotives—with only a control signal transmitted to each unit. This contrasts with arrangements where electric motors in different units are connected directly to the power supply switched by a single control mechanism, thus requiring the full traction power to be transmitted through the train.

Rail terminology is a form of technical terminology. The difference between the American term railroad and the international term railway is the most significant difference in rail terminology. These and other terms have often originated from the parallel development of rail transport systems in different parts of the world. In English-speaking countries outside the United Kingdom, a mixture of US and UK terms may exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steam locomotive components</span> Glossary of the main components of a typical steam locomotive

This article is a glossary of the main components found on a typical steam locomotive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slug (railroad)</span>

In railroading, a slug is a version of a diesel-electric locomotive which lacks a prime mover, and often a cab. It derives the electrical power needed to operate its traction motors and motor controls from a fully-powered mother locomotive. When coupled together it takes advantage of the excess current that the mother's diesel-electric locomotive produces at low speed, providing additional horsepower and braking at such operation without the expense of a full locomotive.

Push–pull is a configuration for locomotive-hauled trains, allowing them to be driven from either end of the train, whether having a locomotive at each end or not.

This article contains a list of jargon used to varying degrees by railfans, trainspotters, and railway employees in the United Kingdom, including nicknames for various locomotives and multiple units. Although not exhaustive, many of the entries in this list appear from time to time in specialist, rail-related publications. There may be significant regional variation in usage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GWR Autocoach</span>

The GWR Autocoach is a type of coach that was used by the Great Western Railway for push-pull trains powered by a steam locomotive. The distinguishing design feature of an autocoach is the driving cab at one end, allowing the driver to control the train without needing to be located in the cab of the steam locomotive. This eliminates the need to run the engine round to the other end of the coach at the end of each journey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Control car</span> Unpowered railway or tramway car with a drivers cab

A control car, cab car, control trailer, or driving trailer is a non-powered rail vehicle from which a train can be operated. As dedicated vehicles or regular passenger cars, they have one or two driver compartments with all the controls and gauges required to remotely operate the locomotive, including exterior locomotive equipment such as horns, bells, ploughs, and lights. They also have communications and safety systems such as GSM-R or European Train Control System (ETCS). Control cars enable push-pull operation when located on the end of a train opposite its locomotive by allowing the train to reverse direction at a terminus without moving the locomotive or turning the train around.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Locotrol</span>

Locotrol is a product of GE Transportation that permits railway locomotives to be distributed throughout the length of a train. It is installed on more than 17,000 locomotives around the world, sending signals from the lead locomotive and via radio to the remote control locomotives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DB Class Köf III</span>

The DB railways Köf III class are light two axle shunting locomotives of Deutsche Bahn AG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autotrain</span>

The Autotrain was a type of passenger train used in the early 20th century, where the steam locomotive could be remotely controlled from the rear of the train. This meant that the engine would not have to run-around at the end of a journey before returning. These trains were also known as motor trains or railmotors at the time, but the term railmotor is now used to refer to trains where the steam engine was integrated into the coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Newman railway</span> Private railway in Pilbara region of Western Australia

The Mount Newman railway, owned and operated by BHP, is a private rail network in the Pilbara region of Western Australia built to carry iron ore. It is one of two railway lines BHP operates in the Pilbara, the other being the Goldsworthy railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Double heading</span>

In railroad terminology, double heading indicates the use of two locomotives at the front of a train, each operated individually by its own crew. The practice of triple-heading involves the use of three locomotives. The practice of multi-heading involves the use of multiple locomotives and so on.

References

  1. 1 2 "Safety: Remote Control Locomotive Operations". Federal Railroad Administration. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  2. "Remote Control Plant Locomotives". OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin 19880808. Occupational Safety & Health Administration . Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  3. Luther S. Miller (February 1999). "Locomotive remote control - A prize just out of reach". RailwayAge.com. Railway Age. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  4. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Auxiliary. "Remote Control Locomotives". www.bletauxiliary.net. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  5. "Recommended minimal guidelines for the operation of remote control locomotives" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  6. Sean Graham-White. "UP CCRCL's". www.trainweb.org. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  7. "Locomotive Products : Onboard Systems : LOCOTROL Distributed Power". GE Transportation - North America. www.getransportation.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  8. William C. Vantuono (April 2002). "Control this! how distributed power helps railroads handle the world's longest, heaviest trains. demonstration union train - BHP Iron Ore Australia". Railway Age. findarticles.com. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  9. "Locotrol Workings". djukin.tripod.com. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  10. "Railways in the Coal Fields of Queensland". Technology in Australia 1788-1988. www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au. p. Chapter 6, page 382. Retrieved 2008-11-16.