Yesterday at Bayview I noticed a long string of Herzog hoppers with small (computer screen sized) what appeared to be solar panels mounted at the end of each car. Are these in fact solar panels and what is their purpose?
They are infact solar panels and are used to power the on board 'dumping GPS computer system' that are used on the Herzog dumping in motion ballast trains.
With Class 1's track time being at a premium anything that improves the efficiency of maintenance operations benefits everyone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF7vSmzac0w
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I have an awful vision of being handed a case of Windex, a case of paper towel, and being told to "clean the screens". There's probably a machine for this process.
Correct me if I'm wrong - but I beleive Herzog uses electrical motors for the gates, as opposed to air. There's an electrical connection between the cars the Herzog guys attach when you are doubling the trains at the quarry, and at least one of the cars has a generator on it. Although I'm guessing the solar arrays are for the GPS guidance as Balt says.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
I suspect the electrical connection may be for the control signals from a control computer brought on board the train, to open and close individual gates remotely. Track forces previously determine where they need the ballast dropped, and how much, and that is preprogrammed. No need for men on the ground (a dusty job) and it can even be dumped at night at faster speeds.
cx500I suspect the electrical connection may be for the control signals from a control computer brought on board the train, to open and close individual gates remotely. Track forces previously determine where they need the ballast dropped, and how much, and that is preprogrammed. No need for men on the ground (a dusty job) and it can even be dumped at night at faster speeds.
On CSX, at least, the dumping in motion Herzog must be followed by MofW personnel in a hi-rail to insure that ballast has not ended up in locations where it shouldn't (road corssings, switches, defect detectors etc.) If found in undesired locations it gets removed 'post haste'.
(1) Controls are on-board, riding on the "covered porch" along with the air reserve and triple valve in an inconspicuous box.
(2) As much as possible, there is a M/W person in the cab of a front locomotive along with the "chase hi-rail" (at least out west). As reliabilty was increased, the extra escort has been reduced.
(3) Just like with the rail grinders, there are plenty of stories about the less-informed making some really funky assumptions about what's going on. The darkwork creates less drama and hysterics.
(The shops east of St.Joseph Mo where all this work equipment is built, re-configured and/or maintained is quite the place to see ingenuity and in-process detail work - what's left of an old CB&Q branch near Easton, MO, MP 200 Easton-St Joseph Spur/ CB&Q Chariton & St. Joseph Br 1878-1981)
I see those on the hoppers at Lane Quarry many times the past few years in Westfield, Ma along Rt20 next to the CSX mainline. Tons of trap rock of different size leave regularly. Once I parked nearby and walked up a stairway as there is a signal tower and asked a worker about the device without stepping on the tracks. He let me approach him. I left quickly. The mainline is about twenty feet above the road. Westfield river not far away.
You can see the place on GPS. They have a huge bucket loader to load the hoppers.
What use to be hills in the late 1940’s are now holes in the ground.
My dad’s company hauled many tons out with his trucks in the 1950’s and 1960’s plus they have an asphalt plant.
I believe he hauled a lot when Westover runways were being built for the Airforce in the late 1940's but he never talked about it except he said an armed guared would mride in his truck on the airbase. He was told to keep quiet about what he saw.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
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