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Originally Posted by piscator
Thanks to everyone! I know nothing about 'choo choos' and this discussion is fascinating!
One question, if I may. Is there anything for the Engineer to DO on a modern train? With all the automation available today, I'd imagine he has a lot of time to play Backgammon! Must be quite a change from those movie days, when the Engineer's impassioned turn on a valve, with a big wrench, stopped the train from plunging into some gorge where the bridge is out; and all the passengers are saved!
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Oh yes, they have plenty to do. Although the autonomous driver-less technology could be applied, and has been in some applications like a commuter rail system in Vancouver, BC, there is a lot of push-back in the industry. The feeling is that a human on board has a better grasp on what to do in an emergency like a derailment or a grade crossing collision. There is a lot going on when a train is running. The crew is in contact with the dispatcher who organizes the traffic and gives the crew authority to move into different blocks of track. This can be done over the radio along with the use of signal lights that are track side. In some cases they still use old technology like paper orders handed up the crew from track side. Each track route has different challenges and nuances that the crew has to be familiar with and checked out on. If a train is diverted to another railroad if there is a track problem, a local train crew or sometimes a "pilot" who is checked out on that line has to run the train. Basic locomotive operation as well as train handling can be tricky. The wrong brake application can lead to broken couplers and or damaged loads. Some day it may come but there is a lot to be worked out yet.