Remote control locomotive
A remote control locomotive (also called an RCL) is a
History
United Kingdom
One of the earliest remote control locomotives was the
North America
In North America remote controlled locomotives have been in use since the 1980s. In 1988, the US
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen expressed concerns about remote control locomotives. The union said that remote control locomotives were not as efficient as traditional engineer-in-cab switching operations while being more dangerous.[4]
In 2001, the US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recommended minimal guidelines for the operation of remote control locomotives.[5]
Present
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/British_Rail_Class_43_at_Chesterfield.jpg/220px-British_Rail_Class_43_at_Chesterfield.jpg)
Modern remote control systems are now based on digital signal technology, with most using time-division multiplexing transmission to cut-down on the number of cables or radio bandwidth required for integrated control.
The UK's InterCity 125 was the first passenger train to use TDM technology, introduced from 1976 to allow it to control up to eight carriages sandwiched between two Class 43 power cars.
References
- ^ a b "Safety: Remote Control Locomotive Operations". Federal Railroad Administration. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ Luther S. Miller (February 1999). "Locomotive remote control - A prize just out of reach". RailwayAge.com. Railway Age. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Auxiliary. "Remote Control Locomotives". www.bletauxiliary.net. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ "Recommended minimal guidelines for the operation of remote control locomotives" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-03-26. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ Sean Graham-White. "UP CCRCL's". www.trainweb.org. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ "Locomotive Products : Onboard Systems : LOCOTROL Distributed Power". GE Transportation - North America. www.getransportation.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ William C. Vantuono (April 2002). "Control this! how distributed power helps railroads handle the world's longest, heaviest trains. demonstration union train - BHP Iron Ore Australia". Railway Age. findarticles.com. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ "Locotrol Workings". djukin.tripod.com. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
- ^ "Railways in the Coal Fields of Queensland". Technology in Australia 1788-1988. www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au. p. Chapter 6, page 382. Retrieved 2008-11-16.