Freight Fantasy

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Denizens of New York City tend to draw fantasy maps of the subway system, most, according to the LION (a master fantasy planner) completely unworkable. Model Railroaders frequently build a freelance (or fantastical) empire for themselves. LIONS former layout was set in Tolkein’s Middle Earth.

With these impeccable credentials the LION proposes what automated freight systems might look like. When LION makes a fantasy layout, he sets out certain rules that it must adhere to, to be somewhat credible.

First, the line must be able to handle all traffic, automated or otherwise.
Second, him assumes that only certain unit trains would be automated.
Third, him examines peripheral requisites that impact operation and acceptance of automation.

So these trains must run on existing tracks. This requires certain upgrades to the lines to effect signaling, cab signals, and other aspects of train control

LION expects, since these are unit trains, oil or coal, that equipment would be specifically made for these trains. LION sees that they may have transit type couplers that connect air and electrical connections, that would be tight fitting, and would probably have sensors built into them to feed performance parameters to the locomotive/system.

LION’s FANTASY specifies (for no other reasons than it is my fantasy, and I like the idea) electric locomotives. Him specifies a center third rail (1200-to1500 volts AC or DC?. For safety the power only comes on when the train is in the block. This requires a protected ROW, fences etc. His fantasy locomotive would be about the size and shape of a road slug, two up front and two in the back. That makes the trains functional without loops at either end. Less real estate may appeal to operators of power plants, refineries etc.

See, many improvements are packaged with such a thing. some grade eliminations, some ROW protection, signal and communication improvements, labor costs all along the line. (Unions do not like to hear about

2

You are describing some of the iron ore operations in Australia’s Pilbara region, except for the transit couplers which aren’t strong enough for freight operations and don’t work well with rotary dumpers. They are even working on automated trains.

The Pilbara is essentially uninhabited except at the terminals.

Here in the good old USA we have way too many people, cars, and other problems to make a truly automated train worth the effort (I didn’t say impossible.)

You may want to go back and read some of John Knieling’s columns in Trains in the 60’s and 70’s. He had many of the same ideas.

3

I have NEVER seen a transit coupler break a knuckle. [:)]

4

Probably because they don’t have 15,000 trailing tons.

5

Or, it may be that transit couplers don’t have traditional knuckles…

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?121986

6

What about a revived Milwaukee Road? Pretend it was never abandoned. Had the electrification extended all the way from Seattle to Chicago. Modernized to 25Kv etc and raised to clear double stacks. Then automated for one man crew. Lets see add Japanese and Korean(and later Chinese) auto imports. Then American auto exports. Powder River basin coal exports. And of course don’t forget graiin exports. Lets see I know airplane components to Boeing. A Tropicana juice train. And into Seattle commuter trains and electric commuter trains into Chicago. All run by computers where nothing can go wrong go wrong go wrong go wrong go wong go wong gaga wong ga wing Thx IGN

7

[quote user=“BroadwayLion”]

Denizens of New York City tend to draw fantasy maps of the subway system, most, according to the LION (a master fantasy planner) completely unworkable. Model Railroaders frequently build a freelance (or fantastical) empire for themselves. LIONS former layout was set in Tolkein’s Middle Earth.

With these impeccable credentials the LION proposes what automated freight systems might look like. When LION makes a fantasy layout, he sets out certain rules that it must adhere to, to be somewhat credible.

First, the line must be able to handle all traffic, automated or otherwise.
Second, him assumes that only certain unit trains would be automated.
Third, him examines peripheral requisites that impact operation and acceptance of automation.

So these trains must run on existing tracks. This requires certain upgrades to the lines to effect signaling, cab signals, and other aspects of train control

LION expects, since these are unit trains, oil or coal, that equipment would be specifically made for these trains. LION sees that they may have transit type couplers that connect air and electrical connections, that would be tight fitting, and would probably have sensors built into them to feed performance parameters to the locomotive/system.

LION’s FANTASY specifies (for no other reasons than it is my fantasy, and I like the idea) electric locomotives. Him specifies a center third rail (1200-to1500 volts AC or DC?. For safety the power only comes on when the train is in the block. This requires a protected ROW, fences etc. His fantasy locomotive would be about the size and shape of a road slug, two up front and two in the back. That makes the trains functional without loops at either end. Less real estate may appeal to operators of power plants, refineries etc.

See, many improvements are packaged with such a thing. some grade eliminations, some ROW protection, signal and communication improvements, labor costs all alon

8

Inside third rail would make modeling much easier. Lots of 3-rail Lionel track around.

I would use normal couplers, with ECP connections. Takes out the uncertainty of controlling the far end of the train by radio. Train would handle better with ECP as well. Tank trains would have inter-connected cars, for faster loading and unloading. The equipment is available, just need to keep the wheels turning.

Make it longer than the yards, so it won’t stop there. Make the shipper pay for the equipment. (This does sound like the Professional Iconoclast…)

Run the propulsion current through the nearby electric fence… Power distribution and trespasser control all at once. [:-,]

9

What about using Tesla’s idea of broadcast power to supply power to an electric train? Thx IGN

10

Powering without direct copper or whatever contact exists in one or more of the wire-free zones on one or more of European tram/light-rail systems. The transmitters are in the pavement radiating to underbody, or under-truck, pick-up antennas. But the electrical transmission efficiency is only about 80%.