DPU's.

[Anonymous]

Do you "like" or "do not" like the DPU?
[bow]BNSF[bow]

[Randy Stahl]

See overcoming technical problems for runaway trains.
Randy

[Anonymous]

It has its places like long unit coal trains. But as for general freights, I think that its a waste of horsepower for a loco that only needs to be used part of the time

[Overmod]

I think it's a good idea to provide the necessary equipment and modifications to allow locomotives to work as DPUs, whether or not there is extensive current use of DPUs on trains. Imho, the ability to control engine speed and excitation 'finely', rather than having to rely on typical MU selections, is a potential source of fuel savings and lower wear on engine and running-gear components. It's also potentially easy to implement effective PTS and PTC on freight trains if you have DPU capabilities on leading as well as in-train power...

I could mention that DPU is a Big Foot In The Door for single-man crews and, eventually, remote mainline operation, but why reopen that can of worms now? ;-P

[Anonymous]

Don't like them at all.