How about a live screen to watch live trains like the train dispatcher does?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I wouldn’t mine If someone would come up with a good web site for railfans to watch and track all or what tains are on a computer screen that a train dispatcher would see every day at his job but only give the railfan too. say Im at home after work or whet ever and I wanted to know were the …lets say… the UP 4555 west the MVPNP is at. In stead of not just realying on scanner radio for info but go look on the my screen just to see If It got a new crew or If It Is holding for a another train or E.T.C. lets hear your thoughts,do you think this would be a good thing or a bad thing?..BNSF 9959 west out!

2

If you work for the RR, or are able to hack in, laptops can indeed do this for you in the field. Was visiting Arizona and California last month, and while spending a few days at Cajon, a certain RR guy showed me his “mobile Digicon” setup. Same track schematic the DS sees, with symbols, signal aspects, etc. Ten years ago I dreamed that there would be a day when such things were possible, and sure enough… Of course, it’s out of reach for most of us.

3

It would never happen becuase of terrorist threats.

good idea though.

4

I like the idea and would LOVE to have one, but I tend to agree with csx-dispatcher for several reasons. First is security. If there is access to information, then someone will try to hack in and change it. Second is cost. Who is going to pay for the data lines and routers, and servers, etc? Certainly not the RR!! Third I don;t think there is software available that will convert the various propriatary computer system ouput displays into a format the reailfan can use. Like I said I would love it, but I don’t see it…

5

I have ben waiting for the day I could do this in the field with my laptop. It would revolutionise railfanning.

6

Dispachers already have enough second guessing and back seat driving on their jobs. They don’t need any more!!

7

I know csx in jacksonville use Windows to dispatch their trains. Csx In indianapolis and Albany use a early 80’s system and now is being updated to use the Microsoft Windows Dispatching Systems. So In all practicality It could be done. Its just letting the railroads letting u “SEE” the Boards.