ho-hum questions

[sooblue]

Hey Mookie,
One beautiful day last year I was standing next to a UP sd what ever engine. It was parked in front of an old unused station in the sticks. No one was around any where.
Not in the station, not in the engine, no where.
All of a sudden that engine made a few clicking sounds and than a popping sound and it started up. Scared the crap out of me. It idled there for the rest of the time I was checking things out.
No one ever did turn up at that place. Since then I found out that locomotives can be fitted with a kit that allows it to be remote started through satilite communications.
The new engines may have that ability built into them from the factory.
It's purpose is to have the engine ready for use "just in time" or to keep it charged and warm in the winter etc.
Anyone know any more about this?
Sooblue

[sooblue]

Hey Mookie,
One beautiful day last year I was standing next to a UP sd what ever engine. It was parked in front of an old unused station in the sticks. No one was around any where.
Not in the station, not in the engine, no where.
All of a sudden that engine made a few clicking sounds and than a popping sound and it started up. Scared the crap out of me. It idled there for the rest of the time I was checking things out.
No one ever did turn up at that place. Since then I found out that locomotives can be fitted with a kit that allows it to be remote started through satilite communications.
The new engines may have that ability built into them from the factory.
It's purpose is to have the engine ready for use "just in time" or to keep it charged and warm in the winter etc.
Anyone know any more about this?
Sooblue

[edblysard]

If it was a older SD, it most likley had a auto start on it. We have them on all of our MK1500Ds.
If the batteries get low, discharged beyond a certain voltage, or if the air pressure in the main reservoir gets low, then the locomotive starts itself, runs at a high(switcher) idle for a minute, then settles down into its normal(road) idle. It will stay running untill the air or the battries are recharged, then shut back off to conserve fuel.
Most of your SD50 thru 70s have it.
GE has it on most of their Dash 9s. Down here, the BNSF cuts it off on their Dash 9s because they leave them parked days at a time.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by sooblue

Hey Mookie,
One beautiful day last year I was standing next to a UP sd what ever engine. It was parked in front of an old unused station in the sticks. No one was around any where.
Not in the station, not in the engine, no where.
All of a sudden that engine made a few clicking sounds and than a popping sound and it started up. Scared the crap out of me. It idled there for the rest of the time I was checking things out.
No one ever did turn up at that place. Since then I found out that locomotives can be fitted with a kit that allows it to be remote started through satilite communications.
The new engines may have that ability built into them from the factory.
It's purpose is to have the engine ready for use "just in time" or to keep it charged and warm in the winter etc.
Anyone know any more about this?
Sooblue

[edblysard]

If it was a older SD, it most likley had a auto start on it. We have them on all of our MK1500Ds.
If the batteries get low, discharged beyond a certain voltage, or if the air pressure in the main reservoir gets low, then the locomotive starts itself, runs at a high(switcher) idle for a minute, then settles down into its normal(road) idle. It will stay running untill the air or the battries are recharged, then shut back off to conserve fuel.
Most of your SD50 thru 70s have it.
GE has it on most of their Dash 9s. Down here, the BNSF cuts it off on their Dash 9s because they leave them parked days at a time.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by sooblue

Hey Mookie,
One beautiful day last year I was standing next to a UP sd what ever engine. It was parked in front of an old unused station in the sticks. No one was around any where.
Not in the station, not in the engine, no where.
All of a sudden that engine made a few clicking sounds and than a popping sound and it started up. Scared the crap out of me. It idled there for the rest of the time I was checking things out.
No one ever did turn up at that place. Since then I found out that locomotives can be fitted with a kit that allows it to be remote started through satilite communications.
The new engines may have that ability built into them from the factory.
It's purpose is to have the engine ready for use "just in time" or to keep it charged and warm in the winter etc.
Anyone know any more about this?
Sooblue

[Mookie]

Wow - Locomotive ghost stories. I am with you Sooblue - I would have 3 miles away before I quit running! I had never heard that, Ed! Guess if you are going to be around any trains at all, that is good information to keep in mind!

Jen

[Mookie]

Wow - Locomotive ghost stories. I am with you Sooblue - I would have 3 miles away before I quit running! I had never heard that, Ed! Guess if you are going to be around any trains at all, that is good information to keep in mind!

Jen

[edblysard]

Most locomotives have a warning sticker on one of the long hood doors, telling you to" keep clear of moving parts, this locomotive equipped with a auto start".

On the MK1500Ds, if it sits still for 8 minutes with the independent brake set and the isolation switch to isolate it will turn itself off., unleass a control surface is moved.
It will sound a loud buzzer for 15 seconds, and then shut off the diesel.
It will only do this if the above two actions have been taken, to prevent it from shuting off in service. When it is going to start itself, again, a loud buzzer for 15 seconds, then it cranks up.
Almost all locomotives from SD50s and Dash 9s on have the shut off/start up feature, there is a switch in the breaker cabinet to disable this it.
Down here, the BNSF requires their crews to leave it enabled on any unit they are leaving in a yard, to save on fuel.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Most locomotives have a warning sticker on one of the long hood doors, telling you to" keep clear of moving parts, this locomotive equipped with a auto start".

On the MK1500Ds, if it sits still for 8 minutes with the independent brake set and the isolation switch to isolate it will turn itself off., unleass a control surface is moved.
It will sound a loud buzzer for 15 seconds, and then shut off the diesel.
It will only do this if the above two actions have been taken, to prevent it from shuting off in service. When it is going to start itself, again, a loud buzzer for 15 seconds, then it cranks up.
Almost all locomotives from SD50s and Dash 9s on have the shut off/start up feature, there is a switch in the breaker cabinet to disable this it.
Down here, the BNSF requires their crews to leave it enabled on any unit they are leaving in a yard, to save on fuel.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[wabash1]

Jen
Ok a start to finish . I show up and get on the engine set my grip down and go over and open up the windows and back door. ( it is hot on these things) Then i go over to the breaker panel. ( most steps are the same on both GE and EMD engines) I close all of the breakers except for the radio . ( as i dont need it) but before i do that i make sure the batter knife switch is closed also ( got ahead of myself here) on newer computorized engines you dont haft to pull the knife switch. after doing this i look at the console make sure that the engine run and fuel and controll stand switches are up. generator field switch is down. throttle in idle. and MU kill is off. engine should be already isolated . go out back on the long hood end to the door marked start switch. prime the fuel system . ( here is where yuo get a small differance with engines) on a GE you will have a delay on EMD you wont. but you turn the start switch to start and fire up the engine. some have layshafts some dont. the computor decides what to do if you dont have a lay shaft. once running you let go of the start switch. go back inside and loook at your gages if your main resivoir is charged you can release your hand brakes if not dont do it , you will have a runaway. no air means no brakes.

most of the newer engines will have a automatic start feature on them to start the engine when the temp drops below 40 the air drops or when battery power gets low. they will run a cycle and then shut down. to stop this from either shuting down while you are on it move the reverser foward .

the only keys you need is switch keys to get into the engine and there is no transmission but all emd units still have to make transition. except ac traction motors i cant speak on these as i dont know if they do or dont.. most ge emgines do also.

[wabash1]

Jen
Ok a start to finish . I show up and get on the engine set my grip down and go over and open up the windows and back door. ( it is hot on these things) Then i go over to the breaker panel. ( most steps are the same on both GE and EMD engines) I close all of the breakers except for the radio . ( as i dont need it) but before i do that i make sure the batter knife switch is closed also ( got ahead of myself here) on newer computorized engines you dont haft to pull the knife switch. after doing this i look at the console make sure that the engine run and fuel and controll stand switches are up. generator field switch is down. throttle in idle. and MU kill is off. engine should be already isolated . go out back on the long hood end to the door marked start switch. prime the fuel system . ( here is where yuo get a small differance with engines) on a GE you will have a delay on EMD you wont. but you turn the start switch to start and fire up the engine. some have layshafts some dont. the computor decides what to do if you dont have a lay shaft. once running you let go of the start switch. go back inside and loook at your gages if your main resivoir is charged you can release your hand brakes if not dont do it , you will have a runaway. no air means no brakes.

most of the newer engines will have a automatic start feature on them to start the engine when the temp drops below 40 the air drops or when battery power gets low. they will run a cycle and then shut down. to stop this from either shuting down while you are on it move the reverser foward .

the only keys you need is switch keys to get into the engine and there is no transmission but all emd units still have to make transition. except ac traction motors i cant speak on these as i dont know if they do or dont.. most ge emgines do also.

[Mookie]

Geez Wabash - sounds a little like brain surgery. But, I will keep reading that over until I get my mental picture.

But that also brings up another point. If the crew is off the engine and the next crew isn't on yet - do they lock the engine? Is vandalism a problem? Or do they have someone around the engines at all times?

Jen

[Mookie]

Geez Wabash - sounds a little like brain surgery. But, I will keep reading that over until I get my mental picture.

But that also brings up another point. If the crew is off the engine and the next crew isn't on yet - do they lock the engine? Is vandalism a problem? Or do they have someone around the engines at all times?

Jen

[Anonymous]

It's ok i'm just a lonely RR mechanic. It sounds like the hoggers and conducters have got everyone all up and running [8][B)] BOO HOO HOO!!!!!!!! LMAO[:D][8D]

[Anonymous]

It's ok i'm just a lonely RR mechanic. It sounds like the hoggers and conducters have got everyone all up and running [8][B)] BOO HOO HOO!!!!!!!! LMAO[:D][8D]

[zardoz]

Such detailed information. Now anyone can go steal a locomotive. Duh.

[zardoz]

Such detailed information. Now anyone can go steal a locomotive. Duh.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1

Such detailed information. Now anyone can go steal a locomotive. Duh.

[}:)] only if I take half the people on the forum with me!

Jen

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1

Such detailed information. Now anyone can go steal a locomotive. Duh.

[}:)] only if I take half the people on the forum with me!

Jen

[sooblue]

Thanks Ed,
I wish I had that on my truck up here in the Nort Land.
One question. If for some reason the engine doesn't start What happens.
When I have a boiler problem the boiler calls me. What does an engine do?
Say it's the dead of winter and if it doesn't start it'll freeze.
Sooblue

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

If it was a older SD, it most likley had a auto start on it. We have them on all of our MK1500Ds.
If the batteries get low, discharged beyond a certain voltage, or if the air pressure in the main reservoir gets low, then the locomotive starts itself, runs at a high(switcher) idle for a minute, then settles down into its normal(road) idle. It will stay running untill the air or the battries are recharged, then shut back off to conserve fuel.
Most of your SD50 thru 70s have it.
GE has it on most of their Dash 9s. Down here, the BNSF cuts it off on their Dash 9s because they leave them parked days at a time.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

Originally posted by sooblue

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