Computers on Locomotives

[Mookie]

Engineers and those in the know: thumbnail description of what work the computers do and what is still left to the human in the running of trains. My work computer has its kinks at times -are there problems with ones on the trains?

Jen

[edblysard]

Hi Jenny,
Just like your car, a locomotive has no real computer, but uses a series of fault code chips and a simple logic processor. It can control wheel slip between wheels on the same truck, or wheels on any set of trucks, in that if a wheel starts to slip, the power to that traction motor is decreased untill the wheel slows down to match the others. On all locomotives, there is a event recorder, like the black boxes on airplanes, to record any change in the control surfaces, record speed, and monitor some engine systems. On newer, wide cab or comfort cabs, it also runs the monitor screen, a small tv screen which replaces mechanical guages, showing air pressure in the main and brake pipe pressure, along with the EOT device functions, and other necessary info.
For the most part, these fault code chips function in the same manner as the ones in a automobile. As long as the system they monitor stay within a certain set of paramiters, they do nothing. But if, say, the number two water jacket on the diesel starts running 40 degrees hotter than the number one side, the chips will turn on the all the radiator cooling fans, and store a code in a memory to down load later, so the shop guys can check and find out why.
If you were under the impression that the locomotives had a computer, like the one you are typing on now, it couldnt stand up to the beating a road unit takes daily. But if you ever owned a mid 80s to mid 90 GM automobile, and ever had to replace the "control module", it amounts to the same thing, with the same results.
As to what the engineer does, well, the same thing they have always done, run the train. If you were referring to RCL, remote controled locomotives, that a whole other system.
All of the electronics for the locomotive would fit inside a pair of deep desk drawers, it all sits in a small rack in the front nose of the locomotive. Some of the newer locomotives have a GPS system, which, besides letting the guys in charge of power distribution know where the motors is really at, can download systems information, so the road foreman of engines will know how much fuel a motor has, and when and where to get it fueled, or how the diesel is running, and when its time to shop it. It can also help with field repair, sorta like having your car hooked up to one of those scanners to tell the mechanic whats wrong.
The term computer isnt quite correct. What they really are, on both your car and your locomotive, is a dedicated system management processor. Your desk calculater has more "computing" power than these systems. But its easier to call them computers.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Mookie]

Ed: Ah - well if I would have used my 8th grade edumacatshun and thought about it, I could have probably figured this out. Maybe it was the early hour of the morning and brain was still in purse!

We still drive an 81 LTD - (83K on it) and not much computer work there, so never made the association between a locomotive and a car. But I was just thinking computer and how frustrated I am with mine most of the time - right church - wrong pew!

Now I understand!

So that is one Kaduh for me today! Doing well...

Jen

[Jackflash]

Ed you're exactly right. From the engineers point of view he has just as much to do to run the train
but instead of looking at a set of gauges he looks
at a flat LCD screen to get all the system information, to most to us that are computer literate we recognize what this system is, (and isnt) Ed, you explained it very well, jackflash

[edblysard]

Thanks, sold car parts and managed a auotcenter for years, before going switching, and sold a lot of "computers" over the years. I remember when EMD came out with the new wiring upgrade for the SD40-2, wow, transistor moduels, the wave of the future! I wonder how long, and how many times it took the design team to open the hood on their chevy caprice, changing the ingition control module, before the light went on?
And just about everyone still thinks of them as computers. And so it goes...
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

of course this computer cant spell worth a flip, at least not this late, auotcenter? How about a automotive repair center...

[csxengineer98]

you left out one major item, the computer controlled air brake. alittle bit more technology behind that then just fault chips

[Soo2610]

I knew what you meant. Probably because I work in the same crazy industry and haven't been successful in making the jump like you did.

[edblysard]

I still love the telephone tune ups, where they call you, and say"my car wont start, it turns over, but never catches, what wrong with it?"
Well, out of the twenty or so things that can keep a car from starting....like you can tell them whats wrong over the phone, without ever laying eyes on the car. I just told them my chrystal ball broke that morning, and they would have to tow it in before I could guess.
And the crap people would pour into their cars gas or oil, and then wonder why their car ran so badly...
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Soo2610]

How about the squeaky brakes in the morning after driving in the rain the day before?

[edblysard]

I remember when they first came out with semi metallic brake pads, and yeee ha,, did we get calls all the time about the squeaks. Had one guy take his pad sander and 600 grit wet/dry paper, and sand his rotors smooth, calls us and wanted to know what he could spray on them to keep them from rusting. Brand new Chevy Blazer! I tried to explain he needed to have the rotors turned, to bring back the original friction surface, but it fell on deaf ears. And why would guys bring you the rotors, and have you turn them, but refuse to replace the bearings, races and grease seal? You had to take the things out to take off the rotor on most cars back then, for the few extra bucks, why put old bearings back in? Or GM starters. The didnt mind changing the starter on their old chevy, but didnt want to spent ten bucks on a new solenoid. Why, its right there in you hands, and if you toasted the starter, dont you think you cooked the soleniod too?, But noooo, and you see them back in a week, mad cause the starter you sold them "dont work". About two minutes with a nut driver, and TA-DA. Then they griped at you because you didnt sell them the thing in the first place...ya just cant win.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

Hello All:

I just have a question about Jenny, does he/ she work in the Railroad Industry,
If Jenny is a She, she sure does have and interest and she has some good questions...

[Anonymous]

Hello Jen,

I've been a locomotive engineer for 23 years and you suprise me with your questions. Do you work in the rail industry?

[Mookie]

Gentlemen: You just made my day, week and whole year! I will blush for hours about this!

I will keep it short, since some of you (Ed from Houston) already know what I am all about!

I am a railroad brat - would have been 3rd generation if they hired women in those days of old! Dad and Grandfather would "railroad" for hours when they got together and this was always far more fascinating to me than what the "girls" were doing! Plus I asked a lot of questions!

I watch trains just for the sheer joy of seeing them. I don't photograph, don't touch and I respect them from a distance. I don't collect anything from them - altho, I would park a Big Boy in my backyard in a heartbeat!

I learned what little I know from my Dad - who is fortunately, still alive, but unfortunately won't talk about railroading anymore. My mother hated it and when he retired, that was the end of all railroad talk!

So I eavesdrop on your conversations and have a real curiousity about what things are and how they work!

And everyone is so nice about explaining things to me - even when I do sound like I did leave my brain in my purse!

It is just that simple! Thanks for your kind words....

Jen

[Anonymous]

Jen, where do you live and what RR did your Dad
work for?

[Mookie]

Lincoln Nebraska - and he worked for Mo Pac for a short time and then hired on as a fireman for CBQ, then BN then BNSF. Grandpa lived in both Hastings and Lincoln and farmed as well as worked CBQ - Dad and Grandpa both worked passenger in their later years, but Dad started out on steam and shoveled many tons of coal. They were both considered "good" engineers in their day and many people have told me they enjoyed working with both of them -

Jen

[Anonymous]

That's nice working with men who you can get along with makes the job so much more enjoyable.

I live in Ontario Canada and work for CPR.
I just can't believe your knowledge of the Railroad, you should become a machanical Instructor..
ICQ me if you have it...#35462488

[Mookie]

I don't have ICQ and I fix my toaster with a hammer. I am an observer, not a teacher...but thanks for the vote of confidence.

[Anonymous]

LOL...Jen that is cute...
Keep up the good work, it's not very often you cross paths with a women who has an interest in the railroad.
You have good knowledge about it and I have learn't from you.

[Soo2610]

Ed, This diversion leads me to an interesting question. What material are the brake shoes made out of on the trains these days? Are they primarily asbestos or have they switched to semi metallic and/or ceramic?

[edblysard]

Primarily asbestos. Pretty much the same as material as you automobile pads and shoes. Most are 2" thick.
Stay Frosty
Ed

[traisessive1]

My auto teacher said there are only 3 reasons a car wont start.
I only remember 2...no gas, ignition isnt working........

[Soo2610]

Thanks for the info. Thought so but I wasn't sure.

[Soo2610]

Try a faulty starter for the third reason. Vapor lock would probably fall under no gas.

[edblysard]

See, I told you not to count yourself out...
Stay Frosty
Ed

[Mookie]

thanx Ed. Always nice to have a friendly voice out there...

Jen