Reminder about stored power units. Please Read!

Not a huge deal, just easier for us to leave them running, and IRL more cost effective. I know it can be confusing when you come on after a server restart and everything is shut down, you would logically think that's the normal procedure.

Probably was me advising some time ago, of shutdown within CA, along with warmer states... Was brought about due to air quality board having a hissy with the RRs, along, with others for the most part esp. fleet owners.. Trying to recall the mandate, &, its time limits. Somewhere within 1-1.5hrs I believe it was, could be idling whiles waiting rd. crews, within service areas etc. Besides, locos say roughly built late 60s - early 70s the crankshafts & other tolerances much better thus, not the fear of crankshafts letting go like earlier models with the crankshafts becoming "out of faze" during startup/shutdown periods. Another area of trouble with many fleets having become older, the sump areas like to dump oil everywhere, which, again, the many towns, states, are cracking-down. Hell, I can recall my very early days being advised to stop during the night along our journey over a river/bridge crossing, open the sump drain for a time, close, before moving on... Some of the newer units, &, portions of older fleets, have also been fitted/retrofitted with block heaters esp. colder climates, thus again defeating the need to leave idling for very long periods.. With a time limit of 1-1.5hrs, I've seen all sorts methods to get around it, &, others, by having someone move eng(s), which would start the clock again....lol... All sorts of tricks to the trade, to get around Johnny-Law-Air-Purists, dependent on the day/time of need..

Most newer locomotives are equipped with Smart Start or some version of it, which will automatically shut the engine down if it's idling for a length of time. When air pressure gets low or the engine gets cold, it restarts itself, recharges or warms up, then shuts back down. There's an override button in the cab that the crew can push if they need the engine running to keep HVAC systems on, or they just don't want it to shut down for some reason. If memory serves the timer is about 10-15 minutes before they'll shut off. The railroads have seen enormous fuel savings because of it, and those who need to live near the yards get less lung cancer.

However! Not to confused this any more. The ES44's and SD70's should NEVER be shut down on the mainlines (usually put back to AI). That is unless we are simulating some kind of crew shortage and it's tied down. Because the clock is frozen, most trains will start moving again as soon as the clock resumes and signals are given.

Thanks

Sean

actually dependent on customer order, newer units esp. desktops may or may-not be fitted with Smart-Start looking for cost savings elsewhere during build. The harshest time for any eng is both start/shutdown time, also the most polluting time. I doubt going to find the feature of much use within southern CA, again Air-Control-Board having their say. Northern CA may be another story, then may only be mandated/warranted during cold season, even then, not the bone chilling cold I'm used to during winter months for weeks at a time. Both SD/GP/other series dependent on whats been installed/retro-fitted may or may-not be left idling 24/7. Mainline trns actually still out on the rd. should as Sean pointed out, either, be placed in the hands of AI or tied-down crewless within chosen hole... These days with the refinement of oils, not the great need to keep idling like yesteryears. Idling really to keep from freeze-ups & then again both newer & older units often have been fitted with block heaters thus, again no need to idle just the need to keep the water jacket toasty... Some RRs, (like my formers) even in the very coldest of regions (winter-months) have been very successful just using both Power-Service in the tank, antifreeze/water blend in the cooling system, even going so far as adding anti-friction (slick50), even going to expensive synthetics in the lube system. Anyways servers host wishes should be the last word/rule of the day regardless.

It’s not good to shut them down. The Turbos over work when starting up and once under high work load “Notch 8” for awhile and they blow. That’s why most newer engines being built had the auto start/shutdown taken out.