Login
or
Register
Home
»
Trains Magazine
»
Forums
»
General Discussion
»
BNSF tests on Electronically Controlled Air Brakes
Edit post
Edit your reply below.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by Overmod</i> <br /><br />Tell me exactly how ECP optimizes dock-to-dock service when applied to normal cars? Even to the extent of recovering its system cost from increased profits? <br /> <br />Intermodal unit trains built for high speed or dedicated service would have electronic brake systems "by default" (almost certainly disc, and possibly air over hydraulic for the actuators, which gives easy antilock modulation without compromising the basic fail-safety of an air system) and would not depend upon consistent acceptance of a 'standard' for interchange ECP for their operation. <br /> <br />More simply: by the time you start considering the kinds of speed range where ECP gives substantial benefits and return-on-equity, you're not using conventional three-piece undamped trucks or rod-actuated brake beams any more, and more to the point you won't really be able to tolerate anything in that consist that has them, *regardless* of how sophisticated a method of modulating the actuating cylinder on a long brake linkage you may have. <br /> <br />If there is a future for dock-to-dock service for small customers, it likely involves intermodal exchange, on the order of a RailRunner system for containers or CargoSpeed for trailers. I'd expect these to be purpose-built, or permanent adaptations of existing equipment, and certainly not something running in 'general' or unscheduled interchange service... <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />There are situations where it would be more efficient for manifests/mainline freights to perform drop off and pick up activities while enroute from terminal to terminal, rather than having small carloads rerouted and backtracked via the local or switch crew. If a certain amount of dock to dock (or siding to siding, if you prefer) can be performed with the time frames reduced via implementation of ECP, why not, especially if it results in more business?
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
Update Reply
Join our Community!
Our community is
FREE
to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Login »
Register »
Search the Community
Newsletter Sign-Up
By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our
privacy policy
More great sites from Kalmbach Media
Terms Of Use
|
Privacy Policy
|
Copyright Policy