To my knowledge, which is limited by being retired, PTC is still in the 'real world testing' phase of its implementation. It hasn't been signed off as a completed product, yet.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
PTC is just another computer. Sometimes computers freeze or crash.
Locomotive computer systems and alerters have been having occasional failures for as long as they have been in existence. Even after more than 30 years of daily real world testing they still aren't 100% foolproof.
To reboot a locomotive computer you isolate the unit, turn some breakers off, wait 5 minutes, then turn them back on in the reverse order and wait for it to boot up. I've only gotten to troubleshoot PTC once but if I recall correctly the same procedure applies. Sometimes the Diesel Doc will ask you to shut the engine down and drain the main reservoir to try and reset every single sensor.
For a while a few years ago GE had problems with the computer screens dying, and you had to reboot the computer to turn them on again. Most of us were pretty good at it by the time they fixed that particular problem.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
I'm currently sitting on Metra Electric District 815 to University Park.. We are stopped at Van Buren St. Due to PTC issues.. I thought they had this somewhat fixed? Ahh! We just started moving! I'll update if any more issues arise on my trip here.
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