15_the_circle | ATCS + audio = synergy

[OT from cottage renovations]
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listening on the road channel a couple of days ago, an EB CSX freight was calling the AU dispatcher to report that the EAS at Derwood was dropping to red but then coming back to green while he was approaching. the dispatcher said he would pass the word to the signal maintainers but hadn't noticed anything unusual on his model board.

pointing the mouse to the Derwood station name on the ATCSmon display I clicked the mouse wheel (it works as a middle button) to bring up the strip chart window, a visual summary of recent data traffic to and from the control point. sure enough, the 2EGK bits were interspersed with 2TEK bits until the train entered the plant whereupon the 2EGK bit dropped, a 2STZ control came through and a 2TK bit came up. those TEK bits in the data stream meant that the control point was intermittently reporting that it was running time on the signal for that track (in between reports that a signal was being displayed).

even though this may be the point where geekery crosses over into wankery, I do find it fascinating to watch and listen at once: virtual railfanning at its multimedia best.

ATCS + audio = synergy

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