Installing a remote control "DCS" in Union Pacific yard engines in 1:1 scale

So you are saying that the Union Pacific is running their trains with this? I bet they get super mad when there is an "ENGINE NOT ON TRACK" error

Somehow I think running 1:1 DCS is probably a little more intense than 1:48th.  Very cool stuff indeed.  With all of the automation coming forth, I would hesitate to think the RR's would go full bore automation over mainlines any time soon.  It seems to me the potential risk of not having a person, who can still analyze many situations better than hardware/software, would be a requirement.  Just my thoughts.

Wow, I want one!

They get all the fun stuff.

TexasSP posted:

Somehow I think running 1:1 DCS is probably a little more intense than 1:48th.  Very cool stuff indeed.  With all of the automation coming forth, I would hesitate to think the RR's would go full bore automation over mainlines any time soon.  It seems to me the potential risk of not having a person, who can still analyze many situations better than hardware/software, would be a requirement.  Just my thoughts.

I think they are doing something like this on mainline trains on two isolated mine roads in "Down Under".

They've been doing it for years. Many locomotives in UP's yards are remote controlled and there are warning signs along the fence letting would-be trespassers know. A friend of mine has a replica of one of the signs in his train room. I need to get a couple. I have mixed feelings about this as I'd be concerned about something happening to the operator and a runaway, but I'm sure safeguards are built into the system.

Steel mills have used remote controlled locomotives for decades.

I  the olden days(the 1990's,) the company I worked for was replacing US Steel-Gary's computers.  We were warned to watch out for the mill trains, particularly because the locomotives were under radio control.

Rusty

NS also uses yard-slug/Geep pairs with remote control (identified by the orange strobes on the cab and slugs). 

What will they think of next... Next your going to see robots on the railroad.... hmm wait a minute...