Hey there,
While the CN engines do have standard control stands with analog gauges,
which do not require any type of familiarization, (in my mind anyway) there
are some engines that have been operating on the line that may tend to
confuse some engineers ( as has already been the case).
Every once in a while the UP will recieve via the CNIC/BRC, a new SD90MAC. I
have run these engines on the former C&NW so they are old hat for me. These
engines have the desktop controls and computer display screens. There are 2
screens in front of the engineer and 1 in front of the conductor.
The throttle and brake controls are acutated in the same fashion as on any
other desktop engine. However, the procedures to cut in and cut out the
automatic and independent brakes are all accomplished through the use of the
computer screens.
There are buttons beneath the corresponding commands listed at the bottom of
each screen. All one needs to do to cut in or cut out the brakes is to push
the button beneath the corresponding command and follow along. It is more
complicated to explain than to actually do.
I got lucky enough to operate one of the "real" 90 macs north out of
Champaign one night on an xmech with a 6100 series UP SD60M hunk o' junk and
a dead IC SD40-2. My conductor and brakeman were very impressed with the
meat locker cold air conditioning system. I grooved out to the sound of that
monster 4 stroke EMD blasting off the grain elevators. That was COOL!!!!
We also sometimes abduct BNSF SD70 macs to switch with at Markham. When
using any AC engines we must make sure that when we start to pull uphill that
we get some power going before we release the brakes. If you start to roll
back, the locomotive will automatically go into dynamic braking in reverse no
matter what your throttle position is. SUPRISE!!!!!!!
I doubt that we will ever see any AC CN power. I have read in the Mags that
they see no reason to spend that much money for a technology that they do not
need.
Oh Well.
Dave
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