Latest news with #remotecontrol
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Maine rail operator asks feds to remove safety signal at Rigby Yard
Jun. 21—The freight rail company CSX Transportation wants to remove a safety signal on the approach to Rigby Yard in South Portland, where it recently began moving trains by remote control using a system that workers say is having connectivity issues. The request to "retire" the signal, which alerts train crews to changing or unsafe track conditions, has raised safety concerns among workers in the yard and people who live in neighborhoods that flank one of the largest and busiest rail facilities in the Northeast. They say removing the signal, located in Scarborough at the west end of Rigby Yard, would endanger rail workers, nearby residents and passengers on the Amtrak Downeaster, which shares tracks with CSX freight trains. "It's an accident waiting to happen," said Joyce Mendoza, who lives in Thornton Heights, a neighborhood that developed as home base to many railroad workers after Rigby Yard was built in the 1920s. Workers say CSX wants to remove the signal in part because it interferes with remote-control operations that began in the yard this month. They say the system has experienced "connectivity issues" likely exacerbated by thick tree cover near the yard and the Route 1/Main Street overpass. "Without the safety signal at the west end, if the (remote-control system) fails, a train could roll right onto the tracks that the Amtrak Downeaster uses," said Dave Stevenson, a legislative director for the union that represents about 35 conductors and engineers at Rigby Yard. "Any incident within that 3-mile stretch has the potential to obstruct the Amtrak line." REDUCE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS Submitted in May, the company's application to the Federal Railroad Administration seeks permission to retire the signal and related track control operations. CSX says the signal is triggered whenever crews pull trains west for headroom, which is needed to switch tracks or move cars. Then, crews must contact the yard dispatcher and request that the signal be cleared. "Retiring the Rigby West signal would reduce these radio communications, which would allow both dispatchers and train crews to focus on critical operational and safety-related communications in and out of Rigby Yard," the application states. The application doesn't mention remote-control operations. Stevenson, with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, noted that remote-control rail yards have been established successfully in other parts of the U.S. "But the layout of Rigby Yard isn't set up to handle remote-control operations," he said. A rail worker posted an anonymous response to the application on the federal website. "I am concerned that removing (the signal) will eliminate the current added protection between switching operations and the high-speed main line that Amtrak uses," the employee wrote. "By eliminating this signal, crews (could) switch freely up to the double-track main could potentially result in a catastrophic event." The employee explained that removing the signal would expand the perimeter of Rigby Yard and require approaching train crews to contact yard crews from 2 miles away, which would be "practically if not impossible to hear" using hand-held radios. SAFETY THREAT TO WORKERS AND PUBLIC The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and the Maine AFL-CIO joined the opposition, submitting comments by Friday's deadline. "The current signal is a safety feature that should not be eliminated just because it is not in line with a new (remote-control) operational preference or because there is a desire to eliminate a worker and reduce labor costs," said Adam Goode, the AFL-CIO's legislative director. Goode said the union supports remote-control operations when they can be implemented responsibly, but removing the signal at Rigby Yard "is nothing more than a way to cut corners that will limit the safety of rail workers and the public." Opponents said they have contacted U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, for assistance in preserving the signal. "We're closely monitoring the Federal Railroad Administration's review of CSX's petition," Pingree said Friday in an emailed statement. "It's essential that any changes to rail operations uphold the highest safety standards to protect workers, passengers and surrounding neighborhoods." Safety is the company's top priority, CSX spokesperson Austin Staton said Friday. Applying to remove the signal is part of an effort to streamline operations and reduce redundant radio communications between crews and dispatchers, Staton said. "No changes will be made unless the (administration) determines they meet all federal safety standards," Staton said in an emailed statement. "We are fully aligned with the (administration's) oversight and remain committed to protecting our employees, the surrounding community and passenger rail service." Representatives of the Federal Railroad Administration and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster, didn't respond to requests for interviews or written comments. One year ago, CSX and Amtrak officials announced plans to install so-called "positive train control" technology along more than 100 miles of track between Brunswick and Haverhill, Massachusetts. Amtrak would kick in $50 million for the project and CSX would do the work. The advanced safety system would anticipate and automatically slow or stop trains to avoid collisions, derailments, unauthorized movements into work zones, misaligned track switches and other problems. They said the system, which uses sensors and GPS technology, would be installed in early 2026 and create "opportunities for potential increases in Downeaster frequencies," the website says. Rail officials had determined in 2018 that the advanced safety technology wasn't necessary because the Downeaster made fewer than 12 trips per day. The train makes five round trips daily between Brunswick and Boston. The Maine Department of Transportation's state rail plan calls for "(increasing) rail capacity and trackage at Rigby Yard in South Portland to reduce congestion" by 2026, but it provides no numbers for its current or future use. When it was built, Rigby Yard had the capacity to hold as many as 2,000 rail cars. Mendoza, who lives near Rigby Yard, said she believes the ultimate goal is to run trains entirely by remote control — without any conductors or engineers aboard. She worries what that might mean for people who live and work nearby. "These trains are carrying volatile and hazardous materials," she said. "We're in the blast zone. Anything that reduces the safety of the yard is a great concern for us." Copy the Story Link
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Our TV experts have rounded up the 20 best shows and films to stream right now, from a top British comedy that's undergone a major change to a Reese Witherspoon drama that's free to watch for the first time
In the era of streaming, it can be tricky to land on something to watch without starting a battle of the remote control. Our TV experts have done the hard bit for you and compiled a list of the top 20 shows and films to stream right now. All you have to do is take your pick, sit back and enjoy!
Forbes
29-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Costway Portable Air Conditioner Review: Strong Cooling For Small Rooms
Compact portable air conditioners can be hit or miss. Sure, they're easy to move around, but too often they end up feeling more like glorified fans, leaving you wondering: Are portable air conditioners worth it? During our recent testing for this Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, it surprised us: It's small enough to easily wheel from room to room, but also strong enough to noticeably cool the area, especially up close. Unlike other compact models we've tested, it didn't fade into just circulating warm air around the room, and the cooling breeze stays consistently strong within several feet of the unit. After testing a range of the best portable air conditioners, the Costway Portable Air Conditioner was the clear winner for small spaces. It's especially good if you want direct air conditioning—think a home office, dorm room or small bedroom—rather than trying to cool your entire apartment. It's not whisper-quiet, but the noise isn't distracting either, and setup was mostly painless (though we did have to get creative with the window inserts). And while this model doesn't have smart features, we didn't really miss them; the basic functions and included remote were easy to operate on their own. Below, in our Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, we share exactly how it performed, including how well it cooled, what we thought of the controls and whether this unit is worth the trade-offs that come with its smaller size. BTU: 10,000 | Coverage: Up to 350 square feet | Noise: 57 to 62 dB | Weight: 45 pounds | Extras: Dehumidifier mode, fan mode, remote control Best for: Skip if: This Costway model doesn't cool down a huge space, but during our testing it noticeably cooled the area right around it. At about 10 feet from the unit, our thermometer recorded a measurable temperature drop compared to the rest of the room. And at just three feet away, we felt a steady flow of cool air that would be ideal for sitting at a desk or relaxing on a couch nearby. Unlike some compact units we've tested, the Costway actually lowered the temperature within its immediate range—just keep in mind that its cooling ability fades as you move farther away. If your goal is to quickly cool a large living room or an open-plan space, you're better off with a bigger and more powerful model like the Midea Duo. But for targeted cooling, especially if you're sitting close to the unit, this smaller model works well. Like most portable air conditioners in this price range, the Costway isn't silent. During testing, we found it produced about as much noise as a standard window AC unit—a steady hum that was noticeable but not distracting. On the plus side, the noise was consistent—there were no sudden spikes, rattling or changes in tone that could be jarring. This Costway model has only two fan speeds, high and low, but we noticed a clear difference in noise levels between the two. Switching to the lower fan speed reduced the sound significantly, so it would be easier to have conversations or watch TV without turning the volume up. Still, even on low, don't expect this model to run quietly enough for extremely sensitive sleepers. If you're particularly bothered by white noise, you might prefer a quieter (though likely pricier) alternative. But overall, we found its noise level reasonable, given its compact size and cooling ability. Getting the Costway up and running was quick. The unit itself is compact, lightweight and took us only a few minutes to unpack, roll into position and attach the exhaust hose. The window installation kit, however, was another story. The provided inserts were clearly designed for vertical sliding windows (ones that move side-to-side), so we had some trouble adapting it to our horizontally sliding window. One insert wasn't wide enough, and two inserts together were too wide. We ended up needing to saw down an insert manually, since the plastic was too sturdy for scissors. As for the controls, the Costway comes with a basic remote that lets you easily adjust the temperature, fan speed and modes from across the room. There's no companion app or smart-home integration, but we didn't particularly miss those features. It's also worth noting that the unit's buttons are touch-sensitive rather than push-to-press; initially, we kept pressing harder and thought the unit wasn't responding, but it worked fine once we realized it required only a gentle tap. There's a Sleep mode as well, which dims the LED display but doesn't fully turn it off, so keep in mind that you can still see some glow at night. After testing the Costway Portable Air Conditioner, we think it's a great pick if you mostly need cooling for a small space or want air blowing directly on you. It doesn't make a major difference in an entire apartment or even a large room, but if you're sitting near it, like at a desk, in bed or on a couch, it definitely makes a difference. The noise is noticeable but steady, and we didn't find it too distracting. It doesn't have any smart features, but the remote was enough to cover everything we wanted the AC to do. Our main issue was the window installation kit, which needed some modification. But once we handled that setup, moving the Costway around was easy, and the cooling was consistent each time we turned it on. If you're short on space or just looking for a basic, budget-friendly air conditioner, this unit does exactly what it needs to do.
