We built 4 of the remote control cars, we felt that by placing the remote control equipment in a caboose we could utilize equipment that had no other use and we had the flexibility of using it with any locomotive or locomotive consist we have. Inside the car is an oil stove to keep the equipment warm and a place to store lots of tools and gear. Unofficially it also serves as a bulletin board for my telephone number.
We don’t run a lot of one man trains in Canada yet which is why the car was not being used. We do use it on the American side so we can make a pickup and setout in Jackman Maine (the only customer on the line between Brownville Jct. Me. and Megantic Quebec…117 miles).
We like placing the cars as near to the head end as we can between locomotives , otherwise buff and draft forces would tear it apart in short order. We are currently putting remotes into many of the other 4 axle locomotives as well. I think the cars work out fairly well.
Like any other locomotive , a remote has to comply with speed limits, the axle drive is used for sending the speed to the beltpack so the operator can see the speed.
Yes, I thought it was clever… in order to have the locomotive bell ring and whistle blow we would have to modify the entire fleet with electric horns and bells and control them via the MU. It was much easier just to put the horn and bell on the remote car. We can use the cars with ANY locomotive providing it has electric sanders… no 1950s air sanders !