Worst Aspect of Remote Control

[ironhorseman]

In light of the article that just came out in Trains Sept. 2003 I want to know what IS or what you THINK would be the biggest problem regarding the freight yard remote control units.

Most of all the other forums on this topics had negative opinons on the subject, but me, a dumb railfan, didn't even know the mechanics of how the darn thing works.

The article brings up several points: learning to operate, injuries, deaths, all tasks not completed in the same day pushes assignments to next day, and engineer operators being laid off.

Now as you get your magazine in the mail or go a bookstore or library to read the article we can all hopefully be on the same page.

What's the worst part of it all? Besides hurting employees is this gonna hurt the railroad?

Conversly, what are the best aspects, if any, of remote control?

[ironhorseman]

In light of the article that just came out in Trains Sept. 2003 I want to know what IS or what you THINK would be the biggest problem regarding the freight yard remote control units.

Most of all the other forums on this topics had negative opinons on the subject, but me, a dumb railfan, didn't even know the mechanics of how the darn thing works.

The article brings up several points: learning to operate, injuries, deaths, all tasks not completed in the same day pushes assignments to next day, and engineer operators being laid off.

Now as you get your magazine in the mail or go a bookstore or library to read the article we can all hopefully be on the same page.

What's the worst part of it all? Besides hurting employees is this gonna hurt the railroad?

Conversly, what are the best aspects, if any, of remote control?

[Willy2]

Remote controls can not run our railroads. The amount of crossing accidents and derailments would go up very fast, not to mention all of the lost jobs. I am totally against remote control operated trains. I do not think we should worry though because are a long way from unmanned trains.

Willy

[Willy2]

Remote controls can not run our railroads. The amount of crossing accidents and derailments would go up very fast, not to mention all of the lost jobs. I am totally against remote control operated trains. I do not think we should worry though because are a long way from unmanned trains.

Willy

[Anonymous]

I just got the Sept. 2003 mag. I don't think it will work. There is a picture in some trains mag. that shows a lot of WARNING sighns! It looks like it about to spell railroad DOOME .

[Anonymous]

I just got the Sept. 2003 mag. I don't think it will work. There is a picture in some trains mag. that shows a lot of WARNING sighns! It looks like it about to spell railroad DOOME .

[johngraser]

I would think one of the disadvantages of Remote control would be not be able to "feel" how the locomotive is responding to the controls.

John

[johngraser]

I would think one of the disadvantages of Remote control would be not be able to "feel" how the locomotive is responding to the controls.

John

[Anonymous]

As a railroader who works in both yard and road service I have seen first hand the effects of rco operations. It is in my opinion the wrong step for the railroads to be taking. But the bottom line is that they are reducing the yard crew by one third. The biggest problem is number crunching harvard grads who have never switched a car a day in there life. it will not end there. Talk is now the UP is testing software that would permit trains to be ran by satillite. A comment was made we can put a man on the moon we can sure as hell run a train by satillite but the unions are in the way. thank God for unions!!!!!

[Anonymous]

As a railroader who works in both yard and road service I have seen first hand the effects of rco operations. It is in my opinion the wrong step for the railroads to be taking. But the bottom line is that they are reducing the yard crew by one third. The biggest problem is number crunching harvard grads who have never switched a car a day in there life. it will not end there. Talk is now the UP is testing software that would permit trains to be ran by satillite. A comment was made we can put a man on the moon we can sure as hell run a train by satillite but the unions are in the way. thank God for unions!!!!!

[Trainnut484]

I say increased property / load damage from RCL operators trying to get the hang of the box. LOL

[Trainnut484]

I say increased property / load damage from RCL operators trying to get the hang of the box. LOL

[bluepuma]

No engineers in the cabs to wave to!
Some aspects of safety were said to be better, but could be worse for safety of the operator from PEOPLE - 2 man crews in some areas may be better.
I think it's a good thing if one man can do pickups/switching on low volume lines that otherwise couldn't be served with profit by 2 man crews.

[bluepuma]

No engineers in the cabs to wave to!
Some aspects of safety were said to be better, but could be worse for safety of the operator from PEOPLE - 2 man crews in some areas may be better.
I think it's a good thing if one man can do pickups/switching on low volume lines that otherwise couldn't be served with profit by 2 man crews.

[Anonymous]

Safety is a huge issue because a man in the cab can see more than a man on the ground.
The engineer has a feel for the controls and the weight of a train.
lost jobs is another negative.

God forbid on the idea of trains controlled by satelitte......they can't see people walking along the tracks or activity at grade crossings.That would be a recipe for multiple disasters, not to mention class action suits from the families of the dead and injured.