Remote Control

Since early in the year when I first got back into this hobby, I have noticed more and more, the big, flourescent signs warning of remote control locos working in certain sections of town.

Yesterday, I got to see my first one in action. It was about 7 or 8 open lumber cars being pushed by two UP GP-15’s(?). Two guys on the front car had a big box that I assume was the controller for the loco’s. I was on my way to get some 2" foam (finally found a place here in town that carries it!!), and just followed the consist, beating it to several intersections just to watch. Once I figured out where they were going, I went there and watched as they done some switching, picking up the loaded cars (about 10 in total), and headed back to the west side of town.

Anyway, I know this is probably old hat to some of you guys, I just thought it was neat to watch these guys control the loco’s from the ground.

The guys do it here to, they sometimes stand on a flat car and ride it to where ever they are shunting and just unhook and step over to loco or another car and carry on to the next job. It’s pretty cool, I guess the transmitter is coded somehow, wouldn’t want a runaway!!

Ken.