This radio broadcast story was aired today on NPR All Things Considered. Very interesting new technology being tested that adds electronics to train braking systems that would cut the braking time in half for modern train systems.
They mention that a typical train 1 1/2 miles long takes up to 15 seconds for all the cars to respond from the front to the back of the train. With the new electronic controlled braking system all cars would be able to brake simultaneously and result in stopping distances about 1/2 what they are today.
Listed to the report by clicking the link below, then the Listen button:
Very interesting…I wonder how all the existing cars will be retrofitted…and of course the burning question for us modellers – will there be any visible difference in the cars?
This has been in the works for some time. Basically the control valve will be either replaced with a new electronically activated one, or an ‘add-on’ will be attached to the exsisting control valve. The control vales will be activated by an electrical cable between the cars. If the electrical cable is not there, the control valve will act just as it is now. The FRA wants testing/implementation on unit trains first. This is logical as these cars tend to stay together, and long unit trains of coal could see the biggest improvement.
