Do the mid/end of train helpers have to be of the home railroad or can any road's loco be used
I am basing my question on the assumption that they are "radio controlled" & since most railroads have their own frequencies (channels) if a foreign loco could be dialed in to work.
**edit** never mind
dbduckDo the mid/end of train helpers have to be of the home railroad or can any road's loco be used I am basing my question on the assumption that they are "radio controlled" & since most railroads have their own frequencies (channels) if a foreign loco could be dialed in to work.
Through the AAR the Class 1 carriers have standardized the equipment and protocols necessary for locomotives being equipped for DPU operation.
A DPU equipped locomotive can be MU'd to and control additional locomotives.
Therefore one carriers DPU equipped locomotivew will operate successfully in DPU operation on another carriers trains - either in the lead or in any controlling trail position.
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BaltACD dbduck Do the mid/end of train helpers have to be of the home railroad or can any road's loco be used I am basing my question on the assumption that they are "radio controlled" & since most railroads have their own frequencies (channels) if a foreign loco could be dialed in to work. Through the AAR the Class 1 carriers have standardized the equipment and protocols necessary for locomotives being equipped for DPU operation. A DPU equipped locomotive can be MU'd to and control additional locomotives. Therefore one carriers DPU equipped locomotivew will operate successfully in DPU operation on another carriers trains - either in the lead or in any controlling trail position.
dbduck Do the mid/end of train helpers have to be of the home railroad or can any road's loco be used I am basing my question on the assumption that they are "radio controlled" & since most railroads have their own frequencies (channels) if a foreign loco could be dialed in to work.
That's the theory. And all the Class I's now order units with compatible software.
In reality, units from different railroads or with different versions of the DP software may not work together properly.
I'm not sure how many locomotives with it are still in use, but the old Locotrol II system is not directly compatible with the current DP system.
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In this area {primarily BNSF} DPU's, both on mid-train positions, and end of train, have become quite common. Run thru power is used, but not normally, in leading ubnit positions. BNSF tends to use just their power as leaders, and foreign power runs after leading units... Foreign power is Feromex,NS,KCS, CSX and CP. UP not so much.
EXCEPT! We have seen recently solid Auto Rack trains, a couple of them have used pairs of CSX units on lead. The Road-Railers of NS used to use all NS power regulary, when they ran to and from Alliance,Tx. ever now and then, a grain train will use a couple of FeroMex units, and occasionally, a potash train will run a couple of CP units heading west on head end.
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