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Simplicity of Operation:
The Process Locomotives are much simpler to operate than a standard diesel locomotive. This is accomplished by using a PLC microprocessor as the main controller. This makes it easy to use radio remote control or the control stand/s in the cab to operate the unit. The cab control stand is available with an AAR control stand with "26 brakes" like a standard locomotive or with the more popular push button control stand used in most Process Locomotives. The AAR control stand is favored by railroad people who are used to operating standard locomotives and it is standard equipment for our short line customers. The brakes are 26-NL and react like those on a standard locomotive. The AAR control stand is easier to use for customers who always have an engineer in the cab and handle long strings of cars over long runs with steep grades. The AAR control stand makes it easier to control the train brakes and the throttle from the cab; but, it takes more training to use this type control stand. |
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| AAR Control Stand PL Push Button Control Stand | ||
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The push button control stand (shown above right) has eight inputs plus a foot switch (not shown) that must be pressed in order to operate from the control stand. The inputs are from top left: emergency stop, joy stick for throttle step control, train brakes (release and apply); (second row) horn, direction (forward, neutral, reverse), sand; (third row) rear coupler release, front coupler release. The push button control stand is favored by customers who do in plant switching and want radio remote control. The push button control stand operates exactly like the remote control transmitter. This makes the feel of the operation the same to the operator when running from the cab or on remote. The reason is that the brakes and throttle are controlled in discrete steps rather than analog control. Therefore, the switches on the control stand operate just like the switches on the remote transmitter. This makes for a smooth transition from cab to ground and between remote transmitters. The feel between an AAR control stand and running in remote control is quite different. The push button control stand is very simple to operate and can be mastered in a short period of time.
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