I have a smattering knowledge of the black boxes on locos which are examined after accidents, etc. I don't know if this was brought up earlier, but could someone explain how much information is collected in them? Is there a standard box for every loco? Are they examined on a routine basis or only after an accident?
morseman wrote:I have a smattering knowledge of the black boxes on locos which are examined after accidents, etc. I don't know if this was brought up earlier, but could someone explain how much information is collected in them? Is there a standard box for every loco? Are they examined on a routine basis or only after an accident?
While there isn't really a standard design, only a limited number of designs have been actually built. Newer models record more data, while older models collected more limited amount of data. There was a excellent article about this in Diesel Era magazine about 8-10 years ago. Older models used a tape cassette while newest ones use a flash type memory. Older ones required the tape to be remove and read off the locomotive, while newer ones required a laptop to be plugged into a dataport, the newest ones use Wi-Fi and are downloaded regularly when passing reader locations. The data readouts are used for accident investigations, and on the newer ones are used for train handling evaluation of the Engineers. One example mentioned in the Diesel Era article concerned a question on whether the Engineer of a WB train made the required brake test before descent of Cajon Pass, a check of the recorded Black Box information provided the answer. The newest Black Boxes also provide information for the Mechanical Department to evaluate problems and schedule maintenance on locomotives.
I know that NS has cameras mounted on some lead units.
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They use the video to verify that the crossing protection was working in case of grade-crossing accidents. It can also prove the engineer blew the horn and had the bell ringing.
morseman wrote:Thanks for your quick responses. I did not realize that there was such a vast array of info that was collected. Are these boxes located in the cab or further back in a protected enviroment in case of a severe accident?
They are located within the cab structure as this is the strongest part of the locomotive so as to protect the crew members. The amount of data stored is a function of the ability to store it, remember when a computer used a 1 megabyte floppy disc as its only storage medium? Now computers have memory measured in Gigabytes and are heading for Terabytes, this same technology affects Black Boxes too, although they must be hardened to survive collisions and fires.
I have seen the 8 track looking ones while working the service track. They are getting pretty old and can fall apart easily. BNSF has the Wi Fi ones and now download at most major terminals ( just while passing by) plus we have cameras in almost all of the Dash 9's some are even being installed in SD 70 MACS,I have seen some in the rebuilt GP 38's and even a few SD 40's. The BN has a rule that a locomotive consist must have a camera in the lead unit if available.
On the mooning story,dont moon your fellow approaching train as the RFE's dont want to see your hairy @$$!These tings record all is right. One of the mechanical guys said the mic is under the engineers side of the cab.But is sensitive enough to pick up sound while in the siding and you have your wondow open,it can hear you.
Yes we are on time but this is yesterdays train
route_rock wrote: I have seen the 8 track looking ones while working the service track. They are getting pretty old and can fall apart easily. BNSF has the Wi Fi ones and now download at most major terminals ( just while passing by) plus we have cameras in almost all of the Dash 9's some are even being installed in SD 70 MACS,I have seen some in the rebuilt GP 38's and even a few SD 40's. The BN has a rule that a locomotive consist must have a camera in the lead unit if available. On the mooning story,dont moon your fellow approaching train as the RFE's dont want to see your hairy @$$!These tings record all is right. One of the mechanical guys said the mic is under the engineers side of the cab.But is sensitive enough to pick up sound while in the siding and you have your wondow open,it can hear you.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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