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KUJU are you listening? A simple enhancement to the more modern diesels would be a train length counter, which when activated would count down the distance your train travels.Why: With cabooseless trains, the engineer needs a means of determining when the rear end is clear of a speed restriction. Modern North American diesels (with CRT displays) show this in the display.How: Train length (in feet or meters) would be displayed on the CRT. If ConBuilder can figure out the length of a consist, MS ought to be able to do so. Pressing a letter (C?) or possibly clicking on the counter display would start a countdown to zero (but not negative numbers). When the C letter is pressed again, the counter would display the total length again, and stop counting down. The counter would only start if the reverser was forward, for simplicity.C = counter length display; L = calculated train length.Pressing C: if C = L then start count down, else display L and stop count down. If C < 0 then C = 0.
PHOENIX to_the WORLDMember since Oct-2-02 · 481 posts
RE: Train Length Counter
Down here in Australia the driver presses a button, and the counter tells the driver as each wagon on his train has passed a certain point. The driver has to know how long his train is but
Clyde Engineering, home to the bulldogs ------------------------------ A new record, being banned 6 times! ------------------------------ Making the golden era on the NSWR live again
Fred and Mary do that up here....And yes the Engineer MUST know the length of his train... Also the weight and the total power and braking effort (both Air and Dynamic) available from his locomotives.... Chuck Schneider Chief Cook and Bottle Washer North American Locomotive Works
PHOENIX to_the WORLDMember since Oct-2-02 · 481 posts
RE: Train Length Counter
He must know everything about his train, including locomotives I know a driver from National Rail Corporation, and I have learnt heaps
Clyde Engineering, home to the bulldogs ------------------------------ A new record, being banned 6 times! ------------------------------ Making the golden era on the NSWR live again
This would be a neat feature I think. The counter in real life is a very nice tool. A lot of times the train length listed on the Block Consist will be flawed. You can use the counter to get a accurate measurement by notifying a train that you are meeting to let you know when your bottom passes the head end of their train. Start the counter when you pass the head end and stop it when they tell you to, thus you get a accurate length. Which you need to know, if you are wondering if you can fit at certain spots, or as metioned earlier trying to clear speed restrictions, or the dispatcher tries to arrange a meet at a siding that you will not fit. Also train length changes when you pick up or set out cars, and the good ole counter can give you the updated length. Very handy in the real world, and would be neat for MSTS. NS
PHOENIX to_the WORLDMember since Oct-2-02 · 481 posts
RE: Train Length Counter
Well, the counter does go in the cab
Clyde Engineering, home to the bulldogs ------------------------------ A new record, being banned 6 times! ------------------------------ Making the golden era on the NSWR live again
EOTD (End Of Train Device) FRED (Flashing Rear End Device)This reads and sends tail end brake pipe reading as well as GPS data It also has the abality to release air in a emergency release of brakes. The gps reads the current location and sends movement information to the cab (how fast the tail end is moving). Buff and Draft (the amount of slack) can be calculated. With a keypress on the MARY the leads position is frozen till the tail end reaches it then as the tail passes the leads frozen position the length can be calculated.I think that is what would be required in this case a recording of the leads position in gps (compass view) and a gps recording at the tail end. This would give the length of the train. How to get the tails gps reading is the question?Just some thoughts Ronson
