Poofy Goof Rant-O-Matic

Al Krug lays it down at http://www.alkrug.vcn.com/rrfacts/rrfacts.htm . braking, calculating traction, how to read signals, how not to break couplers, etc.

the WES DMUs are controlled by custom-programmed PLCs, specifically, those from KW software: http://www.kw-software.com/com/index1024.html . during testing, the DMUs had debug builds of the PLC controls, which allowed for tuning of parameters. once the parameters settled down, a release version was built, which has less tweakable knobs. I assume the IP and code for this went to US Railcar after Colorado Railcar went into liquidation.

"The Railway Applications Section (RAS) provides a forum to bring together practitioners, consultants, and academics interested in applying operations research and management science (OR and MS) techniques to the railroad industry."

they're running a contest: http://informs-ras.org/Problem.htm the problem is to find an optimal fueling system for a provided rail network. the trains can't run out of fuel between yards, and the railroad wants to minimize cost. find the cheapest solution!

Read an email on the PNWR mailing list about a green goat coming through town. I missed it as it came through Tigard, and wanted to see what route it was taking to its destination in Salem, so I looked at a PNWR route map. In small letters and greyed lines is "EPTC", the East Portland Traction Company.

as of FYM 2.7, logging of train movements in and out of yards can be logged. I'm not sure what the log format is, but I assume at the very least it will contain a datestamp and train name. this should make it possible to generate some traffic reports without having to parse train files.

in case large control yokes and steering wheels aren't enough for your flight and driving simulation needs, http://www.piengineering.com/index.php offers train and boat controllers. for the more technically inclined, they sell an external I/O box capable of interfacing with anything you like. an AAR105 locomotive control stand is shown as an example at http://www.piengineering.com/redac/redacio.php .

wow. if I wanted to drive a locomotive that badly I would go job-hunting with PNWR, UP, or BNSF.

start at Widmer.

take the tour, say hi to the bros, have a beer (with breakfast?), walk across interstate a couple blocks to the union pacific rail yard, and hop on a train. a few coast daylight pullmans being pulled by the 4449 would be the ultimate, but there are limits to the fantasy, and I'd settle for some RDCs with working toilets.