CGW wrote: Thanks for the response Mook. Just to clarify the question, say the DPU equiped train needed to make a reverse movement for whatever reason (maybe to access a wye-less connection for example); could a new crew be able to board the rear DPU unit and be able to power the other units for reverse movement to avoid redistribution of power?Jeff
Thanks for the response Mook. Just to clarify the question, say the DPU equiped train needed to make a reverse movement for whatever reason (maybe to access a wye-less connection for example); could a new crew be able to board the rear DPU unit and be able to power the other units for reverse movement to avoid redistribution of power?
Jeff
The crew (Engineer and Conductor) should know well ahead of time if a reverse move is going to be necessary. If it's a manually thrown switch, the conductor would be dropped off at the switch and would communicate with the engineer by radio. The Engineer would continue controlling the train by remote control from the head end.
Fred,
Most of the coal headed into Houston is for HL&P on the south side...BNSF /UP share the contract, so if you want to see big coal trains, head to Rosenberg, around where tower 17 was, or anywhere along Highway 90 west of town.
BNSF brings theirs in from Temple.
DPUs work off a transceiver/radio link up, each unit is assigned a particular frequency, you simply tell it to lead or follow, which way you want "forward" to be, long hood or short hood, dial in the DPU unit's frequency into the leading unit's transceiver, and you are set.
As for the question about back up moves, simply provide shoving protection with a man on the rear, and you back up the train around a wye or what ever, just as if the rear or trailing unit was a big comfortable caboose, you don't have to treat it any differently, it will follow what ever the lead unit tells it to do, so if the lead unit is in reverse, so is the DPU.
fredswain wrote:I saw several DPU equipped coal drags going through Kansas City when I was there a couple of weeks ago. I guess that's pretty common there. However here in Houston I almost never see them. At least not coming in from the north. I saw one yesterday and another one today though which got my attention. On top of that I also saw a tunnel motor SD-40 working as a yard switcher yesterday and another one was the DPU on the back of the train yesterday. I don't know the last time I saw those around here either yet alone one being used for yard switching.
23 17 46 11
In each power set you need one unit that is DPU equipped. So if you had head end and rear end DPU, then you would need a minimum of 2 DP units and however many other units you want. The UP used to run a UP C44AC on point and rear with a SP C44AC as the trailing unit on the head end consist. If a units is DPU equipped then it can be either a controling or controlled unit. So if they wanted to reverse the train and control it from the other end (assuming the other units was facing properly, etc. etc.), the crew could set up the "trailing" unit as the new leader and former leader as a trailing unit and control from the other end. The engineer controls all the DP sets, and can control each set individually.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
CGW wrote:Thanks for the response Mook. Just to clarify the question, say the DPU equiped train needed to make a reverse movement for whatever reason (maybe to access a wye-less connection for example); could a new crew be able to board the rear DPU unit and be able to power the other units for reverse movement to avoid redistribution of power?Jeff
I'm just another train watcher; but I believe the answer is 'yes; with some re-setting of controls on the locomotives at each end of the train.' That might leave some train handling issues related to having two locomotives on the rear vs one on the front however.
Oops, it helps if I put my text outside of the previous quote box.
Good enough answer for me. I don't mean to turn this thread into a DPU education session. I just have a fascination of trains equiped with DPUs. To stay more on topic, I too witnesed a grain train with two DPUs on the rear heading west on the BNSF Transcon in Olathe, Kansas two weeks ago. I did not catch the front units though.
Mookie wrote: CGW wrote: Thanks for the response Mook. Just to clarify the question, say the DPU equiped train needed to make a reverse movement for whatever reason (maybe to access a wye-less connection for example); could a new crew be able to board the rear DPU unit and be able to power the other units for reverse movement to avoid redistribution of power?JeffI can feel the fur on the back of my neck - all the railroad people watching me head over a cliff, but I will go until I hit bottom. My answer would be no - the control is all in the lead engine. The DPU would have to be disconnected from the train for a crew to handle it separately. Good enough answer for me. I don't mean to turn this thread into a DPU education session. I just have a fascination of trains equiped with DPUs. To stay more on topic, I too witnesed a grain train with two DPUs on the rear heading west on the BNSF Transcon in Olathe, Kansas two weeks ago. I did not catch the front units though.JeffJeffI think this is done with boxes that talk to each other - command post on first engine and rest all answer to it. You must remember, I only watch 'em. I don't run 'em.....Moo....
I think this is done with boxes that talk to each other - command post on first engine and rest all answer to it.
You must remember, I only watch 'em. I don't run 'em.....
Moo....
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Well, while waiting for the experts to chime in here - my understanding is the head engine controls all the other units only. One boss, several workers.
I will say no more until it is verified by someone a whole lot more qualified.
Mook
How exactly does DPU work? Can any unit of a train operate the other units as long as the units all have DPU capability?
AntonioFP45 wrote: DPU?Is that Distributed Power Unit? Remote controlled by the engineer or conductor in the lead unit?Sorry, I'm still trying to keep up with all these technological advances. I'm still stuck in the 80s!
DPU?
Is that Distributed Power Unit? Remote controlled by the engineer or conductor in the lead unit?
Sorry, I'm still trying to keep up with all these technological advances. I'm still stuck in the 80s!
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
piouslion1 wrote: Kitty:I did the same thing the other day and found them on my nose.Really, no jokePL
Kitty:
I did the same thing the other day and found them on my nose.
Really, no joke
PL
Was out playing with the trains today and remembered reading this.
Saw a BNSF grain train headed south with 7523 on the head-end and two DPUs, 4815 and 710 - all three were working. Not sure what this means, but shows that I do retain a little of what I read on the forums. Now if I could just remember where I laid my glasses.....
Moo.....
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