[LateStarter]

For '2K' runs at the club I'll need to add an EOT device to the end cars.
I'm shopping the Ring Engineering catalog for a suitable 'enclosure' color.

In the meantime, since they're very expensive, I'm only looking at getting two. (Eeesh).
I figure I'll select an open quad hopper and a boxcar to mount them on, and leave them there permanently.
Once I get them working, I'm not a fan of changing or moving electronic stuff around.

 

[LateStarter]

I guess I'm gonna need three...
I forgot one for the container train.

 

[D&J Railroad]

Don't forget the autoracks.

 

[LateStarter]

I don't intend to have an autorack unit-train.

 

[LateStarter]

I'll use this Tangent for the coal drag EOTD. It's the most recent add on my roster.
Needs some airbrush weathering.

 

[LateStarter]

Perhaps nobody uses EOTD's.

 

[Gramps]

I saw a short train in Canton, GA a few years ago and the EOT device was a red flag in the coupler of a gondola car.

 

[D&J Railroad]

I have autoracks.

 

[cv_acr]

As a 70s/80s modeler, I get to use cabooses, not EOTs.

However, also as an operator/switcher, I'm not sure I would actually use EOTs if I did a more modern era, since I would never have a permanent "end car" that is only trucked around because it has the EOT on it.

 

[cv_acr]

I saw a short train in Canton, GA a few years ago and the EOT device was a red flag in the coupler of a gondola car.

That would be a "marker" - just one of the functions of an EOT device (blinking red light).

EOT (end of train) device, also called FRED (flashing read end device) and SBU (sensing and braking unit), additionally has electronics that provides information via radio link to the locomotive on tail-end brake line pressure, and if an emergency brake application is triggered can also "dump the air" from the tail end to apply brakes throughout the train faster.

 

[LateStarter]

I have autoracks.

Wow!
That's a really impressive train! :appl:

 

[D&J Railroad]

Wow!
That's a really impressive train! :appl:

Wait till ya see the bridge that I'm building to put in that gap.

 

[daschnoz]

Does it need to be an actual "device" mounted to the rear coupler, or is a flashing LED mounted inside the rear of a box car sufficient?

If the box car approach is acceptable, AND assuming you have some small electronics knowledge, you could make your own for under $5.

 

[LateStarter]

Well I guess I'm in the vast minority...
Seems very few here are using EOTD's.
At least the club thinks it's a good idea. So far though, I've only seen it on MW equipment.

 

[cv_acr]

Does it need to be an actual "device" mounted to the rear coupler, or is a flashing LED mounted inside the rear of a box car sufficient?

Well, do you want it to look at all half-ways realistic?

 

[gardena_shortline]

The club doesn't have any EOTD equipped cars for the membership to use? We've got quite a few that members have made with club equipment for all to use.

 

[daschnoz]

Well, do you want it to look at all half-ways realistic?

I suppose it depends on how you balance cost and the desire to look totally realistic. Me, I would be happy with the sub $5 solution.

 

[D&J Railroad]

Does it need to be an actual "device" mounted to the rear coupler, or is a flashing LED mounted inside the rear of a box car sufficient?

If the box car approach is acceptable, AND assuming you have some small electronics knowledge, you could make your own for under $5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYk_ak_K7oM

If you're just doing it to mark the last car on a train, why not just tape a flashlight to the roof?

 

[Gramps]

That would be a "marker" - just one of the functions of an EOT device (blinking red light).

EOT (end of train) device, also called FRED (flashing read end device) and SBU (sensing and braking unit), additionally has electronics that provides information via radio link to the locomotive on tail-end brake line pressure, and if an emergency brake application is triggered can also "dump the air" from the tail end to apply brakes throughout the train faster.

I had thought all trains had to have the EOT/FRED flashing device.
That's why I was surprised to see just the red flag. This was a short line in Northwest Georgia so I thought they might have less requirements.

Thanks for the information about electronics for the brakes system.

 

[LateStarter]

The club doesn't have any EOTD equipped cars for the membership to use? We've got quite a few that members have made with club equipment for all to use.

We all use our own equipment...
Except for moving trains of mixed ownership, none of us are willing to trust someone else's momentary clumsiness with delicate or premium stuff. I've seen my share of accidental mishaps. I wouldn't let anyone else rail a RivetCounter or Genesis diesel or an InterMountain or Atlas Master reefer for me.

Anyway, EOTD's/FRED's haven't shown up yet, except for one on a steel bay window MW caboose (which is a redundancy).