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Oh the pathos
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Hmm. Slack action? Perhaps a weight sensor modified to be sensitive (20 pounds maybe?) and strong enough to withstand breaking forces on couplers. <br /> <br />Hook that to the onboard ABS computer and once it understands what is going on with that particular set of couplers maybe transmit signals to "unload the disk" or maintain the rotation as needed. <br /> <br />Or better yet, the computers report to the Hogger at the head end power how the couplers are doing, if a pair gets too much strain maybe he will get the information in time to ease the strain before they break. The readout might be a graphical display of the train's coupler stress status. <br /> <br />Maybe the computers on each frieight car can talk to each other in some way. And if a large "WAVE" of surge or slack run starts to work down the train the cars about to get hit could see it coming and get ready for it. <br /> <br />I know this sounds wierd, brake systems acting as if they were human. But computers on board detriots that understand the difference between -30 or +80 degrees before I finish activiting the starter system the engine is set up to have the best chance of a start. <br /> <br />Ive had ABS in heavy trucks. Let me tell you that ABS is "Dumb" but goes to work when youre in a genuine emergency and that foot slams down on the service air. There is no human alive that can activate and Unload the brakes that fast. <br /> <br />If the tire is rubber filled with air? (Some railroads use these actually in passenger cars) or just a steel wheel? I think it is all the same to the ABS. As long as the "Disk" is kept rotating between applications in units of time almost too small to be understood the maximum availible traction can be applied just before wheel slip or skid. <br /> <br />Where it meets the road *ahem rail is where the battle for traction (stopping or accelerating) IMHO. <br /> <br />The wheel loadings on railroads cannot be that much heavier than the 34,000 per set of two axles on a tandem we use on the high way so... where is the problem? Money? Technology? Corperate unwillingness to expend finances on systems such as these? <br /> <br />If Europe can do it, why cannot we?
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