Amtrak706 wrote:
Thirdrail, good to see you are still here and posting. I want to see if I can better understand something though - why is it that automatic shutdowns due to component failure make the locomotives “too smart” for their own good?
Because it doesn't mean a component has failed. It may not be anywhere close to failure. It could be a glitch. It could be a momentary issue unrelated to the engine. As an example, the AEM-7-ACs used sense over current in the catenary and it would just show up as a fault, letting you know. The ACS-64s had preset parameters that shut down the engine completely if they were exceeded. That is why I said, these engines would work better on a new system. However, the catenary system is way old, has a ton on trains attached to it. Additionally, you're depending on an outside provider for your power to feed the system. Can you imagine what that is like in the summer, when you have multiple trains meeting in one area on a hot summer day? There will be slight fluctuations in power. Now, you have a disabled engine that you have to coax back to life.
As you mentioned, Amt706, software updates help moderate these type of issues once they are discovered. But, you can't swing too much in one direction or the other. There are warranty and manufacturer implications. Besides, do you really want to blow up an engine if it ISN'T a glitch, momentary flip or false reading? Personally, I'd like to be able to limp the engine somewhere and take my chances.
It is still better than the HHP-8 in this situation. If their threshold was exceeded, the MCB would actually lock itself out. You'd need a laptop to reset it. That is why they were banned from certain trains unless it was an absolute emergency. So were the ACSs actually.
In some cases, the computer just wants to be pacified. If it is not pacified, it will shut the engine down or seize control of another system and wrestle it into submission (while stopping the train.) A lot of the corrective measures are hidden/locked behind cabinets with crooked exclamation points with ominous warnings.
Meanwhile, the AEM-7 would just keep rolling...usually....because they are as dumb as the P40s/P42s.
I could go on (I love it when one system isn't recognized quick enough and the back up starts dumping your train in emergency and most people can't figure out why and OTHER people were attempting to blame the crews) but it really isn't necessary. If everyone thinks things are hunky dory, that is good. It really doesn't matter since I don't see another purchase in the foreseeable future. There are enough of them to go around and if the WTC project proceeds as scheduled, they will receive a bigger break.