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Control Car Remote Control Locomotive - Definition |
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UPY 163, showing fuel tank is gone. A Control Car Remote Control Locomotive (CCRCL) is an old diesel locomotive with the traction motors and fuel tank removed, cab windows plated over, and remote control equipment installed. It is coupled to a locomotive (or a consist of locomotives) which lack remote control equipment; it is set to be the lead locomotive in command of the others, controlling them through their multiple unit control connections.
The term and the units are a creation of the Union Pacific Railroad, which as of 2005 is widely adopting remote control of locomotives in switching service. Until all locomotives in switching service are equipped with remote control apparatus, the CCRCLs provide an easy way of ensuring that remote control capability is available. They do not require taking active locomotives out of service to equip them with the remote control capability; instead, this can be added when the locomotive is next scheduled for a normal overhaul.
The locomotives used are old GE Transportation Systems-built locomotives, models B23-7 and B30-7. These have a low value on the used locomotive market.
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