Traditionally, this has been done by burying cable along the ROW.So, RRs were always on the prowl for a cheaper, reliable communication scheme.
This effort was called Advanced Train Control System (ATCS) - the forerunner of PTCPTS. There was a whole series of specifications that spelled out equipment for wayside, locomotives, data radio network, communication protocol, etc. The communication protocol specified how the messages packet were to be send and unpackaged as well as making sure the message were sent and received as intended. Spec 20 spelled out the message in between the packet header and footer. Since the radio broadcasts are in the open anyone can receive these data packets. The ATCS monitor decodes these packets and displays them on a track line view showing track occupancy, switch position and routes cleared. Some of the radio data has been passed along on the internet so you can connect that way instead of using a modified radio receiver (scanner). So, you can sit at home and see how the trains are moving on a rail line on the other side of the country. I pretty much had it up and running the whole time I was in Deshler this past summer, so we had a good idea when to expect traffic and when to run over to the store for something to eat, or maybe take a nap. Atcs Train Monitor Download The SoftwareYou can download the software, specific area mapping, information on modifying a scanner or where Internet interfaces exist (as does one for Deshler - I can sit here in NY and watch whats going on in Ohio). Some places have perfectly good infrastructure and see no need to implement it. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me Theres one thing about humility - the moment you think youve got it, youve lost it. Completely agree I can sit at home and see just whats headed my way with enough time to go and watch it go by. On that basis, when Homeland Security figures this out they will have a lot more to worry about than bearded photographers. And, theyd need an inside source to find out where the commodities of interest are, and that same source would have even easier access to which train is which. Even a hand-held scanner to listen to voice radio from the trains would be more useful than ATCS data. Heck, two bad guys with cell phones along the ROW would be even MORE dangerous. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
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