Can DPU's be started (cranked) from the lead engine? And shut down also? I saw a thru train with two engines in the middle, stop and pick up 40 loads(scrap steel) and add them to his already long train. Before he moved , I saw and heard the middle engines crank up; the spin and the exhaust smoke. Did not see a body but could see well only the side I was facing. I did not pay attention when he first came to a stop, so don't know if they were running as he arrived.
Northtowne
The Engineer can manually shut down a DP remote from the lead unit. There is a "Engine Stop" button on the DP control menu. But remote units cannot be started manually from the head end.
Most modern locomotives are fitted with a computer system called Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS), commonly known as AutoStart or AutoStop. This program shuts down engines to save fuel, and will automatically restart them if any one of several parameters is met, including the lead unit's reverser handle moving out of neutral to forward or reverse. You probably saw the remote units automatically restarting.
Before uncoupling the lead locomotive consist from the train the Engineer would have had to put the DP remote consist into "Set Out" mode, among other things. Doing this means the remote unit(s) will not respond to throttle/dynamic brake commands from the lead unit, and it will also start the AutoStop timer.
Starting a DP train can be a royal pain if the remote unit(s) do not restart right away. The computer displays do not tell you if the remote's engine is running or not.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Thank you for that definitive answer to my question. It must have been the AESS you described. The units were on the NS so I would presume equipped with such a computer system. Thanks again.
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