MU Operating

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

I agree that the engine you saw was in all probability dead in tow but to answer your question: yes you can control midtrain helpers through radio control. They were considered fairly seriously in the late 60's and early 70's. Often an old F unit was turned into a control cab with the radio gear. It was thought that by distributing the forces throughout the trains greater train length and smoother operation could be obtained. The benefits were off set by the time to switch out the helpers at the point they were no longer needed. SO basically the railroads didn't see adequate benefit to pursue further technology into slave units.

And this has been resurrected with "Distributed Power" especially on the BNSF and UP. On the UP line from Mankato to Shakopee MN (ex C&NW) many trains have a pair of big GE's up front, and a third one on the rear.

[ndbprr]

I agree that the engine you saw was in all probability dead in tow but to answer your question: yes you can control midtrain helpers through radio control. They were considered fairly seriously in the late 60's and early 70's. Often an old F unit was turned into a control cab with the radio gear. It was thought that by distributing the forces throughout the trains greater train length and smoother operation could be obtained. The benefits were off set by the time to switch out the helpers at the point they were no longer needed. SO basically the railroads didn't see adequate benefit to pursue further technology into slave units.

[dehusman]

It was probably not running, it was probably dead being transported to some other location as a revenue move. Often DIT (dead in tow) locomotives have to be seprated from the working locomotives by 5-10 cars.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

I was watching a train yesterday as it made its way south on CSX. It was carrying mainly hoppers full of coke, but close to the end of the train, I saw an RS-3 among the cars. I couldn't tell if this locomotive were running, but was curious, is there a way to control a locomotive in the middle of the train or is it just running dead-headed like any other car on the train?