A system for detecting a temperature of a railroad train wheel or bearing includes a thermal line scanner and a processor. The thermal line scanner is positioned to capture a plurality of thermal line scans of the wheel or bearing. The processor is configured to analyze each of the plurality of thermal line scans, identify a selected line of the plurality of thermal line scans, and calculate the temperature of the wheel or the bearing based on the selected line. Thus, the system and method disclosed herein reduce the acquired thermal data first to a single line for one or both of the wheel temperature and bearing temperature and then to single values.

A system for testing a traction block, such as a railway traction block, includes two zones that are physically separated from one another, an operational zone located in a container and divided into at least two parts. One part is a command part accessible by an operator during testing, and the other part is a high-voltage part inaccessible during testing. The system also includes a test zone located outside the container, and configured to receive the traction block to be tested. The test zone is able to be supplied with electricity during the test by the operational zone using dedicated connections.

A system for testing a traction block, such as a railway traction block, includes two zones that are physically separated from one another, an operational zone located in a container and divided into at least two parts. One part is a command part accessible by an operator during testing, and the other part is a high-voltage part inaccessible during testing. The system also includes a test zone located outside the container, and configured to receive the traction block to be tested. The test zone is able to be supplied with electricity during the test by the operational zone using dedicated connections.

A method for determining operating stress on a component during operation includes recording measured values for predefined measurement variables not equal to the operating stress on the component to be determined, during operation of the component for at least n≧2 predefined different operating modes, determining m≧2 and m≦n effect operands W.sub.1 to W.sub.m, in dependence on the measured values for each operating mode, recording a measured value of operating stress after operating the component for n operating modes, and setting up and solving an equation system having n equations to obtain m weighting factors a.sub.1 to a.sub.m weighting the m effect operands. A sum of weighted effect operands for each operating mode is equal to the measured value of the operating stress recorded for the operating mode. A calculation rule determining the operating stress during operation of the component uses the weighting factors.

A method for determining operating stress on a component during operation includes recording measured values for predefined measurement variables not equal to the operating stress on the component to be determined, during operation of the component for at least n≧2 predefined different operating modes, determining m≧2 and m≦n effect operands W.sub.1 to W.sub.m, in dependence on the measured values for each operating mode, recording a measured value of operating stress after operating the component for n operating modes, and setting up and solving an equation system having n equations to obtain m weighting factors a.sub.1 to a.sub.m weighting the m effect operands. A sum of weighted effect operands for each operating mode is equal to the measured value of the operating stress recorded for the operating mode. A calculation rule determining the operating stress during operation of the component uses the weighting factors.

A fluid analyzing system comprises a telematics device, a fluid analysis control module, and a locomotive management system. The telematics device is coupled with a locomotive. The fluid analysis control module is coupled with the locomotive and the telematics device. The fluid analysis control module is configured for initiating acquisition of a sample of a fluid of the locomotive and providing the sample to a microfluidic analyzer for conduction of a microfluidic analysis in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger. The analysis trigger comprises an operating characteristic of the locomotive. The locomotive management system is located remotely from the locomotive and the telematics device. The locomotive management system is configured for wirelessly receiving results of the microfluidic analysis transmitted from the telematics device.

A fluid analyzing system comprises a telematics device, a fluid analysis control module, and a locomotive management system. The telematics device is coupled with a locomotive. The fluid analysis control module is coupled with the locomotive and the telematics device. The fluid analysis control module is configured for initiating acquisition of a sample of a fluid of the locomotive and providing the sample to a microfluidic analyzer for conduction of a microfluidic analysis in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger. The analysis trigger comprises an operating characteristic of the locomotive. The locomotive management system is located remotely from the locomotive and the telematics device. The locomotive management system is configured for wirelessly receiving results of the microfluidic analysis transmitted from the telematics device.

A locomotive inspection system includes sensors that are selectively coupled to a locomotive during an inspection or maintenance event for the locomotive and a controller that is operable to cause a control system of the locomotive that controls plural operations of the locomotive to initiate a first operation and a different, second operation. The controller determines whether the control system has first sensor information indicative of a state of the locomotive during the first operation. The controller sends a command signal to the control system to direct the control system to change locomotive operations from the first operation to the second operation responsive to determining that the control system lacks the first sensor information. The controller obtains second sensor information from the one or more sensors based on the second operation and determines a condition of components of the locomotive based on the first and second sensor information.

A locomotive inspection system includes sensors that are selectively coupled to a locomotive during an inspection or maintenance event for the locomotive and a controller that is operable to cause a control system of the locomotive that controls plural operations of the locomotive to initiate a first operation and a different, second operation. The controller determines whether the control system has first sensor information indicative of a state of the locomotive during the first operation. The controller sends a command signal to the control system to direct the control system to change locomotive operations from the first operation to the second operation responsive to determining that the control system lacks the first sensor information. The controller obtains second sensor information from the one or more sensors based on the second operation and determines a condition of components of the locomotive based on the first and second sensor information.

A railroad locomotive monitoring system configuration system for a plurality of trains comprising: a monitoring system, and an on-board computer programmed or configured to: determine or receive railroad locomotive data; determine or receive railroad operation data; determine or receive configuration data; and based at least partially on at least a portion of the railroad locomotive data, at least a portion of the railroad operation data, and at least a portion of the configuration data, automatically configure at least one setting of the at least one component of the monitoring system.