Train Falses

I have also recieved K falses from trains on open highways from the V1. The Whistler SE used to false Ka on a few railroad crossing towers.

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Originally Posted by bart99gt

Close...

It is actually the wheel slip system used on some locomotives. It uses a low power K band transmitter to detect the speed of the train, then compares it to the speed of the driving wheels. If there is more than a pre-determined difference between the two the computer will automatically reduce power and/or apply sand to the slipping axle(s) to bring the wheels back under control. It is specific to a particular manufacturer of locomotives starting in the early to mid 80s on engines with DC traction motors. Locomotives with AC traction motors (the electric motors that drive the wheels) use a different system that doesn't require radar and is actually more accurate.

AEI is 915 MHz and railroad radios are in the 160 MHz range.

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I understood that much and how it explains the false at the front of the train. The OP also said he picks up a signal from the rear.

Thanks for the responses!
And I pick it up from the rear because there are always 2 actual engines on both ends.

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Originally Posted by AcuraTL

Thanks for the responses!
And I pick it up from the rear because there are always 2 actual engines on both ends.

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What??? Thats crazy talk everone knows the rear end of a train has a caboose:P

Heck! Are they not running Cobras to detect the "Railroad Police"? LOL! I thought it was SWS (signal warning system) like tractors and/or large equipment has on when running down the road. Great info. Drive safely....

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Originally Posted by Rocketman59

No, I work for the railroad. Loco's made by EMD (Electo Motive Division) manufactured since the mid 1980's have a K-Band radar unit mounted under the nose behind the plow ( Cow Catcher) It is used to control wheel slip by comparing the trains speed to the speed of each drive axle on the loco. If an axle is turning faster than the train is moving then the wheel is slipping and the electronics back off on the amount of current being sent to each traction motor until they match the trains speed over the ground. Since most freight trains have more than one engine, you would get multiple threats on your V-1. General Electric Locomotives have a different system and do not use radar.

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great info
thanks for the insight

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Originally Posted by speeddemon

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Originally Posted by AcuraTL

Thanks for the responses!
And I pick it up from the rear because there are always 2 actual engines on both ends.

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What??? Thats crazy talk everone knows the rear end of a train has a caboose:P

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And here I thought the FRED (flashing rear end device / end of train device) was just talking to Wilma (locomotive computer’s name) ‘bout how we going to stop this train!

I believe the frequency they operate on is 452 MHz and also 161 MHz for a distance of 2 ~ 5 miles. Don’t believe that will set off any RD’s.

As a safety thought, just one Dash 9 or Evolution locomotive weighs more than an empty 747-400 as it zips through a RR crossing.

BC :)

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Originally Posted by North Alabama

Heck! Are they not running Cobras to detect the "Railroad Police"? LOL! I thought it was SWS (signal warning system) like tractors and/or large equipment has on when running down the road. Great info. Drive safely....

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When I had a detector that could actually display SWS messages, I never received one from a locomotive. Most railroads aren't just going to install something like SWS unless it became mandated by law.

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Originally Posted by AcuraTL

Thanks for the responses!
And I pick it up from the rear because there are always 2 actual engines on both ends.

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Probably a coal train or other heavy unit (ie., every car has the same kind of load) train. Interesting that you are picking it up though, as most railroads (particularly BNSF and UP, which you would see in your area) typically use AC locomotives on coal trains. I may need to consult with my buddy who works in the mechanical training department at CSX to get to the bottom of this.

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Originally Posted by Rocketman59

No, I work for the railroad. Loco's made by EMD (Electo Motive Division) manufactured since the mid 1980's have a K-Band radar unit mounted under the nose behind the plow ( Cow Catcher) It is used to control wheel slip by comparing the trains speed to the speed of each drive axle on the loco. If an axle is turning faster than the train is moving then the wheel is slipping and the electronics back off on the amount of current being sent to each traction motor until they match the trains speed over the ground. Since most freight trains have more than one engine, you would get multiple threats on your V-1. General Electric Locomotives have a different system and do not use radar.

Thanks

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I worked on the GE 7FDL series (V-16) but that was engine-gensets only. They are a very interesting with the articulating rod design. Nothing like the ship engines I used to work on.
Couldn't throw just any diesel HDEO oil in those. ZDDP-Pack was a concern for the bearing materials. Some innovative thoughts back then to package that motor & system into a locomotive.