ATCS Monitor

A couple of months ago at the Memphis NRHS meeting I was asked if I knew anything about a program that was able to "plug into" railroad networks and display a live dispatcher's screen. A couple of members had done some railfanning over in Arkansas area and had seen such a system in Bald Knob. I searched the internet and found such a program, "ATCS Monitor"

ATCS Monitor display of the UP Memphis Sub

ATCS is an acronym  for Advanced Train Control System, initiated in 1984 by the Association of American Railroads and the Railroad Association of Canada. The basic principle behind ATCS is to provide a cost efficient, safe, modular, train control system. 

Much, if not most of the communication between elements of ATCS is via radio . Dave Houy, a computer/HAM radio/rail enthusiast  created ATCS Monitor. The  free PC based program, utilizes the data in ATCS radio transmissions to power his program.

In order for the program to function, it is necessary to  intercept the radio transmissions, decode them and make them available on the internet. This done by dedicated individuals that establish radio equipped servers (computers) near locations where ATCS  is operational. Unfortunately, this hasn't yet occurred in the Memphis area.

For more information, visit: http://wiki.atcsmon.com/ or join the ATCS Monitor Group at:  http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ATCS_Monitor/ 

More later.