Trains.com

How about a live screen to watch live trains like the train dispatcher does?

4445 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 23, 2004 7:47 PM
I know csx in jacksonville use Windows to dispatch their trains. Csx In indianapolis and Albany use a early 80's system and now is being updated to use the Microsoft Windows Dispatching Systems. So In all practicality It could be done. Its just letting the railroads letting u "SEE" the Boards.
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, April 23, 2004 5:09 PM
Dispachers already have enough second guessing and back seat driving on their jobs. They don't need any more!!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 23, 2004 2:29 PM
I have ben waiting for the day I could do this in the field with my laptop. It would revolutionise railfanning.
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: MP CF161.6 NS's New Castle District in NE Indiana
  • 2,148 posts
Posted by rrnut282 on Friday, April 23, 2004 2:00 PM
I like the idea and would LOVE to have one, but I tend to agree with csx-dispatcher for several reasons. First is security. If there is access to information, then someone will try to hack in and change it. Second is cost. Who is going to pay for the data lines and routers, and servers, etc? Certainly not the RR!! Third I don;t think there is software available that will convert the various propriatary computer system ouput displays into a format the reailfan can use. Like I said I would love it, but I don't see it....
Mike (2-8-2)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 23, 2004 10:32 AM
It would never happen becuase of terrorist threats.

good idea though.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 23, 2004 9:51 AM
If you work for the RR, or are able to hack in, laptops can indeed do this for you in the field. Was visiting Arizona and California last month, and while spending a few days at Cajon, a certain RR guy showed me his "mobile Digicon" setup. Same track schematic the DS sees, with symbols, signal aspects, etc. Ten years ago I dreamed that there would be a day when such things were possible, and sure enough... Of course, it's out of reach for most of us.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
How about a live screen to watch live trains like the train dispatcher does?
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 23, 2004 9:14 AM
I wouldn't mine If someone would come up with a good web site for railfans to watch and track all or what tains are on a computer screen that a train dispatcher would see every day at his job but only give the railfan too. say Im at home after work or whet ever and I wanted to know were the ...lets say.... the UP 4555 west the MVPNP is at. In stead of not just realying on scanner radio for info but go look on the my screen just to see If It got a new crew or If It Is holding for a another train or E.T.C. lets hear your thoughts,do you think this would be a good thing or a bad thing?.......BNSF 9959 west out!

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

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