PATCO Classic Car Operation - Broadway to Lindenwold (Final Day)

On the last day of Classic PATCO Car operation I made sure to capture how exactly these old cars were operated. Our Train Operator was making liberal use of the manual mode because the station stop transponders had pretty much fallen into disrepair with the retirement of the fleet that used them. However he did show off automatic mode on a few occasions.
Just remember that in 1969 this setup was state of the art. It was the first non-experimental use of ATO in North America. However it had many shortcomings that never completely eliminated manual operation, like the inability to run ATO in the rain. The pre-digital logic was basically apply maximum acceleration or maximum braking force until a desired speed was reached. It made for a somewhat less comfortable ride, but man is it efficient!

[@phillytch78]

Hey that Rob I worked with him at Septa

[@kevinhoward9593]

its crazy to think that a 1970s computer is running that train.

[@PositionLight]

No computer necessary, just some basic electronic logic.

[@kevinhoward9593]

@@PositionLight automatic uses a computer silly.

[@kevinhoward9593]

@@PositionLight automatic uses a computer silly.

[@italobambino43]

Why are you surprised that a 1969 Computer was running that system? In 1980 they were overhauled and upgraded. But, keep in mind every computer system ever created still has the base programming from the ENIAC, the first computer ever made which was built in 1947, and it was developed at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

[@amjkodaz]

I miss all the old cars, I used to pretend I was driving when I was little

[@philliplee980]

interesting and very cool.

[@Andrew74488]

I'm going to miss sitting next to the operator and watching them opertate the train.

[@amjkodaz]

same here

[@amjkodaz]

Goodbye Childhood

[@sorrymom1228]

That horn is me when I'm really MAD

[@RailfanDdog]

Are the horns automatic

[@fermitthekrog6318]

Do the newer cars have the AOT too?

[@PositionLight]

Yes.

[@bigtime7724]

4:05 what was all that about hitting the breaks and switches

[@PositionLight]

He put it into Automatic Train Operation mode.

[@TheBestTrainsAreReal]

What was the guy doing where the engineer had to tell him off??

[@PositionLight]

Time?

[@ozgreen2843]

Riding his bike on the platform

[@Howard1939]

Where's the forward view of the tracks....?

[@PositionLight]

In another video.

[@jamesperez-ridge3529]

That would be cool if thier was patco train simulater on the phone

[@jeazy6615]

I wish I could work for them . I filled out a application with them twice and no response . I know I can do this job

[@gmoney8821]

Any advice for someone applying for patco train operater?

[@PositionLight]

Don't have a lot of information on on that, sorry!

[@ozgreen2843]

keep applying! I am on phase 3 of the process. Applied, passed test, passed physical agility test. my interview is in one week. Wish me luck!

[@ozgreen2843]

Now I am on phase 4 of the process. Applied, passed test, passed physical agility test, nailed my interview and now going thru background check and medical physical. Wish me more luck!

[@ozgreen2843]

@Joseph Yes I Did!!! I am replying from the crew room as I am working in the yard this evening. The guy in the video is my mentor and a great train operator. I am living my dream right now!!!

[@ozgreen2843]

@Joseph Thank you!! I really appreciate your kind words. I hope to have you as a passenger soon! Stay safe and stay healthy my friend!

[@sailor12006]

The train operator should not be distraced by a passenger. If there was an accident, that distraction is a huge liability issue.

[@PositionLight]

It was a special last run of the original equipment and the video was taken with permission to document how the 1968 vintage cars were operated.