I have been noticing every now and then that a in the "Active MCP" window, a engine will show up...for example, UP 4139 is showing up in the Central Div feed right now.
" 18002413901 UP 4139"
What exactly is that, and why would a engine have anything that would show up like that?? It seems to happen just with UP stuff, although I have seen a BNSF in there a time or Two (but never NS)....
EM, basically UP and BNSF(with their ATCS version called ARES) transmits loco numbers that can be picked up using ATCS Mon. The locos also transmit running condition, fuel, water, oil, etc back to distpatch where the distpatchers can see an issue and relay that info further down the line, so the lococ can be removed, replaced or serviced. So, if they are on other lines with ATCS... they can be picked up. Seen it a couple times on on CSX in the East. DE Dan.
Thanks Dan..you answered a question I have been wondering about for some time..
It would be nice if NS did the same!