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Locomotive equipment and technology has undergone a lot of changes since I began my railroad career 19 years ago this month (I entered the service as a brakeman in Mineola, Texas). Every now and then, I still run across some of these more recent applications aboard locomotive models we have operated throughout the years, as well as what we are now seeing as today's new standards.
This month's column will focus on more of these systems and/or aftermarket products which were among the early items I came across during some tours of duty here in the Fort Worth area. There will also be outlines covering other new developments, as well as one for those of you who are trivia buffs.
For longtime readers of CROSSROADS, you might recall my series of reports about locomotive systems dealt with different versions of adhesion improvement programs which were developed in recent years (GM's Super Series, GE's Sentry Adhesion, and Vapor Corp. Positive Traction Control).
Now comes another entry into this arena: the MAXITRAX module. There are approximately 400 former Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt GM Dash 2 model locomotives in service which are subject to have the MAXITRAX application (The specific candidates are: SD40-2, SD40M-2, SD40T-2, SD45-2, SD45T-2 and GP40-2).
The MAXITRAX is an adhesion enhancement system which uses a micro-controller
to monitor current to the traction motors. The benefits MAXITRAX provides are:
The MAXITRAX module will be a gray box with a computer screen on the top; it is visible through the sight glass on the door to the rack module.
Adhesion conditions can also be improved by way of using reverse logic. An example of this I found a few years ago aboard a Conrail SD60M locomotive: The "Flange Lube 15 Min. Disable switch" (On the SD60M, it is positioned to the left of the dynamic brake cutout switch). It is a spring loaded slide switch which provides a time delayed cutout for the flange lubrication system after the switch is activated.
The purposes served by this application: Rather than to permanently disable
the flange lubrication system, the operating crew is given the flexibility
of stopping the system temporarily whenever you get a wheel slip indication
due to:
Are there any UP locomotives which use this arrangement? Yes. Some of the Dash 8 units are outfitted with a flange lubricator toggle switch on the engine control panel versus having a double pole breaker switch. The toggle switch, when operated, will perform the temporary shutoff method.
Now comes our trivia question: Is it possible to outfit a locomotive with a microwave oven? The Canadian National railroad's response would be yes. In August of this year, CN Rail unit No. 5711 (An SD75I model), made its way into Fort Worth as a horsepower hours payback locomotive.
I got the opportunity to take a look inside the cab while it was in the ready track area (It would eventually go out on a train heading toward Mc Alester, Oklahoma). The microwave oven was in the vestibule compartment; it was outfitted with the wide cab.
The application of microwaves came about as a result of negotiations with the operating crews by CN Rail. It is installed so that employees who work on extended 12 hour runs will have available on the lead unit of the consist equipment with which to warm up their food or beverages (You see, a lot of those particular runs don't go through a large number of towns between crew change points). The power supply for the microwave is supplied by an AC inverter.
CN Rail is not the only company to install microwaves aboard locomotives. The Australian railroads also have some locomotives equipped with this appliance.
GE has made some software improvements which address checking and testing the authenticity of whether an inverter of a speed sensor is defective. One of the programs works in this manner: If the system suspects there is a possible problem with either device, the computer will perform a self diagnostics check.
The operator notification of this, if the engine is not moving, will be a DID panel message of Power Circuit Configuration In Progress. The message which will follow it will indicate the test results.
The other program will go into effect after the system has just performed an automatic cutout of an inverter. Within several minutes after the system has performed an automatic cutout, an automatic self diagnostics check will be started. If the test shows the equipment can function normally, then the inverter will be automatically cut back in.
Q. Which soft keys allow the operator to perform Front/Back groups arrangements?
A. The ones which will permit this are identified as Move to Back and Move to Front. When "Move to Back" is selected, the soft keys Less Traction and More Traction will appear (They will say "More Brake" and "Less Brake" if the consists were in synchronous dynamic braking at the time you set up the Front/Back arrangement). All of these selections will be found on the left ICE screen
Q. Why are the C44/60AC and C60AC prototypes not outfitted with DPU?
A. As I touched on in the September article, developments are still ongoing for future additions to DPU programs. One of these projects is the development of an IDP system for these particular units. Once the software portions are available, there will be various testing conducted to insure all standards meet the approval of all parties before any production retro fits will be performed to these particular locomotives.
Side note: C44/60AC units 7050 and 7051 are involved with some related early on testing which deal with IDP development for the fleet.
In next month's issue, you could say I'll be living up to my nickname of "Mr. Dynamics". I will be answering a question from a reader which deals with the current system General Order about working axles calculations for dynamic braking operations. I will also be addressing in more detail the air brake rule which talks about Continuous Dynamic Braking systems, as there are some fundamental differences.
Regardless of what we do in our daily living, keep in mind a very important fact: Each of us are in a non-elite group; it's called Nobody is Perfect (so don't come unwound when another person accuses you of being nobody - they're right alongside of you ... in more ways than one). Therefore, the statement I would like to offer might serve to both build positive character for you along with gaining respect from others: Don't put down people unless it's on your prayer list.
-- Have a blessed Thanksgiving holidays.