Ed,
Check your pm’s.
Like Jamie said, no scanner necessary. I’m in South Florida and I’m monitoring the BNSF Aurora sub, how’s that for range? The tricky thing is to load the files properly and to use the proper server’s IP address for each profile. Everything is right there on the Yahoo group.
Well to quote Harry Caray, “HOLY COW!” I downloaded the application this evening and took about an hour to set it up. I ran it the first time and got the dispatcher panel for the CALTRANS Orange/Olive lines around L.A. (this is the default setup). I saw stuff changing, but since I am just a shade east of there in Atlanta, GA, it was cool to see but not very meaningful. So I found a site that has other territories and voila! I found a setup for the CSX Abbeville Sub, which runs about 2 miles from my doorstep. So I fire this up and voila again! I see the dispatcher panel for the CSX Abbeville Sub. I see the control points just up the road…now this is getting really interesting. Next, I find a website that does all the scanning for CSX in Georgia and I connect to it… mega voila! the dispatcher panel lights up to show the new data. I can see two southbounds coming my way and a northbound going through Athens. Finally, I stay up late enough until I see the block near my house go from green (clear) to red (occupied).
Now I fire up my scanner and sure enough after about 5 minutes I hear the nearest defect detector go off for the first southbound and shortly thereafter, CSX Q663 southbound (Greenwood-Atlanta) calls a clear signal at Old Brickyard, a stones throw from my house. Seconds later I hear the horn blowing for the crossing. Amazed, I watch the other southbound come down through Lawrenceville, then Gloster, culminating in the CSX A710 passing through a few minutes later.
Sorry if I am rambling, but it is 2:00 AM my time and I am still juiceded about finding this thing. I think my work productivity is gonna take a major hit if I “work” at home tomorrow. This thing is very cool and completely done by railfans/hobbyists. I am in awe…is there a “jaw drop” emoticon??? I’ll just have to go with [bow] Jamie
Alright, you guys are killing me. Gotta figure this out.
ed
I was watching the BNSF Aurora Sub dispatchers board and the webcam to verify the how accurate it is…talk about real time. When the block changes to red, you only have to wait less than 30 seconds and you have yourself a train in the webcam. You even know which track it will be on.
Now if I only can get the other ones working as good as this. No scanner chatter (if thats possible) off of this site for me.
Paul
Check your pm’s.
Yes, I have the ATCS monitor, I also modified a scanner for mobile use in the field. It’s all in storeage right now as I am between jobs though.
It is great. especially in places like Cajon where it helps to know what track to set up on for your next shot. Or on light density lines where it could save you hours of standing around with no traffic.
BTW-before anyone gets antsy to get it going be aware that only lines useing the advanced traffic controll system are compatible. There is a coverage map on the ATCS site but I have found it to be out dated.
The site is a work in progress. Updates are being made to it continuously to keep it as current as possible. The more people that jump on the ATCS bandwagon, the more up-to-date it will become. I urge all serious railfans to join the ATCS Monitor Yahoo Group and install the program. You’ll be glad you did.
I was a little leary about giving out some of the info the membership folks wanted. Am I being a little too cautious? It seems cool, is there any thing available for the west central Ohio? Is it really on the level? I am not one to give out a lot of info over the net, this is the only forum I frequent.
I joined about a month ago. There is not a moment of my free time that I am not messing around with ATCS. It is an amazing and innovative application. I was also wondering why so much information was required upon signup, but these guys are really devoted and take the “hobby” very seriously. It is 100% legitimate and made up of a very good group of people that really enjoy using ATCS Monitor to complement their railfanning. I highly recommend it. Not all lines are covered, but I also enjoy remotely monitoring lines that do have coverage. I believe their is a map on the ATCS group website that shows the general coverage areas.
Thanks, I may give it another look.
I agree…It sounds like just another hobby or an extension of railfanning…Not to mention the cost of all the stuff you need to just get started…WOW ! The way it sounds you are able to see only whats in an immediate area of your location and read train orders sent to crewmen in locos equipt with mdt’s…Just like the police have…
I finally found the time to join the group and get started. Amazing! This will definitely make me get out and railfan more. I’ll be able to pick my spots and improve my yield.
Don’t really see any security issues since there is no train ID info provided - only route and signal indications along with occupancy. No way for anybody to tie commodity info, if they managed to get that, to a particular occupancy indication.