Ed, that probably refers to the new computer controlled robotic trains, (to be freight first, then passenger) that we did some PCB's and controls for. A human engineer will not be needed. It is expected that there will not be a human on board the engines of the future. Just stay off the crossings when this one comes through!
Hasn't CSX had enough publicity on runaway locos? All I can say on automated locos is: Sheriffs, have your guns out Russ/NYC
I was not making a joke about runnaway trains, or any particular company. It is no joke. It is like your computer controlled "N" layout, everything happens, totally hands off! What fun! Just watch the real world as it happens.... An engine will be called from a "ready" track, by a dispatcher. The switches will be pre-set to direct the engine to a desired "pickup track", where a made-up string of cars awaits. While the movements of this engine may be rather slow compared to the dispatcher punching in the data on a computer, remember that the whole system is to be fully computer controlled. This means there will be no need for humans to enter the track area. This will save insurance and wages. The automated operations will all be running at the same time, (more than a human can do). This will prevent accidents, speed up switching, sorting and increase freight time on road, all coordinated by computer. Any data input will automatically be inserted just as a program runs on the computer you are using to read this with, yet allows you to enter a post yourself while I am still posting. (Your "train of thought" will leave the yard and arrive here before mine, if your "train" is a short one, and I am still making up my "train" by posting this message.) See how it will work? What was interesting to me, happened during a system test where we were to introduce various unexpected senarios. Things like "What happens if a switch fails to throw and an out-bound train is getting up to speed needing the track?" Answer: "The system sensors shut down the out-bound, reverse the interfering train, and an over-ride sets the switch twice. If the sensor does not indicate the switch set correctly, the system alarm goes off calling maintainence". These problems were all being recorded on floppies that would be given to us to come up with safeguards and or solutions for. When it came around to me for introducing some kind of problem I had come up with. I said save your data now, waited a few seconds, then reached down and unplugged the computer. All hell broke loose, but I told them they had just had a major power failure, so now we have to see what happens. I was very nearly fired of course, but management wasn't known for listening to reason in the history of man. I retired shortly after this anyway. But there will definately be un-manned trains hauling freight at 2 to 300 miles an hour, and possibly passengers at up to 600 miles an hour. All perfectly safe, and fully coordinated, according to Management, who is buying it.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by watash: It is like your computer controlled "N" layout, everything happens, totally hands off! What fun! Just watch the real world as it happens .... All perfectly safe, and fully coordinated, according to Management, who is buying it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> In a "perfect" World, everything proceeds "perfectly" Unfortunately, computer systems are designed, programmed, and maintained by "imperfect" humans. Consequently, any computer system will eventually provide "imperfect" results Example ... NASA wishes that it could recall the Mars Lander that was programmed using English Units instead of Metric Units It would be very interesting to know how many service calls that GE and GM have had to make to correct computer "glitches" on their latest generation engines My money is with the human "computer" ... it may be imperfect, but it's still the best we got Hank P.S. Ask "Management" to explain why they just got a "Blue Screen" and had to call the "Help Desk" ..... [ 09 June 2001: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
I'll be honest in my opinion, it is too risky to not have at least one person in the cab of locomotives, why you ask? Just like what Hank said, computers aren't perfect, because humans aren't perfect. NOTHING IS! anyway, there is a zillion page list of "what if's" for this kind of stuff, but you have to condider the inevitable facts. SOMETHING IS GOING TO MESS UP OR BREAK, SOMEONE SHOULD BE THERE TO FIX IT TO HELP KEEP THE TRAINS ROLLING!!! I suggest (although it's unlikely on most class 1's) that all railroads bring back the caboose, mandate a 3 man crew. Hey would you rather put money where is deserves to go like the employee's family, or to spend on cleaning up and accident that could have been prevented, because no one was around to oil the bearings? This is an interesting topic [ 14 June 2001: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ed Pinkley#2: This is the newest CSX safety slogan.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I must be missing something here
Dave, surely you heard about the CSX runaway, which of course was "engineer free." Someone sent me a joke describing how CSX was actually running an experiment with that train to see how well they could function with no crews. Wish I had kept it. The fact that the joke is not published on this thread makes it confusing.
Ah Soooooo I was wondering if this topic had been started by someone whose tongue was firmly planted in their cheek ... If you trusted Hal in the movie 2001, you'll really love being Engineer Free in 2003
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. I am sorry if I joke about it but it is rather funny to me how man has come to trust technology. (Especially when it is man that is programming the technology) Here in NY they are building a monorail to connect JFK airport with the subway and supposedly these will be computer controlled as well. This got me thinking. I sure wouldn't leave my computer out in the elements so what happens when all these relays and electrical components are exposed. Surely they are open to failure (No matter how weatherproof they may be) My advice would be to still have at least one person on board that may overide the system in the event of such a failure. Russ/NYC
Uh, I don't want to dampen the fire on this thread (I think it's kinda funny), but a similar thread like this on the Blue Bored turned into a nasty flamewar. Some folks are humor-impaired over there which is why I'm over here . Gee, wonder if MS Train Sim is an instructional tool for automated train running........
