The HOTD (EOTD controller??) box in the cabs of the GP38-2 and SD40-2 locomotives provides a "DISTANCE ACCELERATION" display. When an EOTD is present this display appears to show "acceleration" (but never "distance," which I assume would be distance from the cab to the EOTD if we could see a value). The acceleration is said on the box in the cab to be expressed as MPH. But MPH is a velocity, not an acceleration. I assume this is how it is IRL and not a DTG typo. Does anyone know how this reading is supposed to be interpreted?
The distance meter (if implemented) would either measure the distance travelled by the locomotive from the point at when the button was pressed, or it starts a "countdown" of train length - distance travelled and then stays at zero when the train length has been traversed. This tool is quite useful for knowing when the last train car has passed a speed post or you can use it to know how much distance is left in a siding for example (useful for preparing the stop in case the end of the siding is hidden from view).
