Portal:Trains/Selected article/Week 34, 2006

A control car is a non-powered railroad vehicle that allows operation of a train from the end opposite the locomotive. Control cars can be used for diesel or electric operation, allowing push-pull operation without the use of a second locomotive. Trains operating with a locomotive on one end and a control car on the other do not require the locomotive to run around to the opposite end of the train when reversing direction at a terminus. Generally, the driver controls the train through a Time-Division Multiplexer (TDM) connection. In addition to the driver's compartment, which has all the controls and gauges necessary for remotely operating the train's locomotive, control cars all have a horn, bell or plow (as appropriate), and most importantly, all of the lights that would normally be on a locomotive. Control cars can carry passengers, baggage, mail or a combination thereof.

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