A system for identifying whether the braking system of a train is functioning properly such as during a train terminal test. A monitor on a rail car is used to detect abnormalities in the braking system and can report problems to a handheld terminal or a central controller in the locomotive. The monitor has a pressure sensor for measuring brake pipe pressure, auxiliary reservoir pressure, emergency reservoir pressure, and brake cylinder pressure at the rail car. The monitor also has a controller that can calculate whether brake pipe reduction resulted in the appropriate amount of brake cylinder pressure. The monitor can then provide the results locally via a visual indicator or remotely to a handheld terminal used by a train inspector or the controller in the locomotive. Testing data over time may be stored for future reference or transmitted remotely to assist with maintenance and service scheduling.

Various methods and systems are provided for a braking system. In one example, a braking arrangement comprising a dead lever comprising a protrusion offset toward a live lever and a slack adjuster.

Various methods and systems are provided for a braking system. In one example, a braking arrangement comprising a dead lever comprising a protrusion offset toward a live lever and a slack adjuster.

A vehicle control system includes a first controller configured to communicate a first brake command to one or more brake devices of a vehicle system via a communication pathway. The system also includes a second controller configured to monitor the communication pathway to determine whether the first brake command from the first controller is communicated via the communication pathway to the one or more brake devices. The second controller also is configured to implement a backup brake command to the one or more brake devices based on a presence of the first brake command and a level of brake application dictated by the first brake command.

A vehicle control system includes a first controller configured to communicate a first brake command to one or more brake devices of a vehicle system via a communication pathway. The system also includes a second controller configured to monitor the communication pathway to determine whether the first brake command from the first controller is communicated via the communication pathway to the one or more brake devices. The second controller also is configured to implement a backup brake command to the one or more brake devices based on a presence of the first brake command and a level of brake application dictated by the first brake command.

A system and method for automating railroad maintenance by a tie gang using electronic tie marking (ETM) configured to optimize railroad asset maintenance. The system enables collision avoidance between members of the tie gang performing maintenance on railway assets (e.g., Rails, Ties, Ballasts, Turnouts, Crossings, etc.). The system can generate production numbers for the railway assets and evaluate an asset queue for the tie gang to perform maintenance. The system can utilize real-time updates from the tie gang to optimize work output. The system can provide a customizable user interface to identify, track, and process information related to maintenance of the railroad asset. The system also provides for a heads-up-display (HUD) to notify an operator of relevant information, such as maintenance information, travel indicators, and updated asset queue. The system can identify a next location and calculate an optimum path based on sensor input incorporating machine-specific and environmental characteristics.

A system and method for automating railroad maintenance by a tie gang using electronic tie marking (ETM) configured to optimize railroad asset maintenance. The system enables collision avoidance between members of the tie gang performing maintenance on railway assets (e.g., Rails, Ties, Ballasts, Turnouts, Crossings, etc.). The system can generate production numbers for the railway assets and evaluate an asset queue for the tie gang to perform maintenance. The system can utilize real-time updates from the tie gang to optimize work output. The system can provide a customizable user interface to identify, track, and process information related to maintenance of the railroad asset. The system also provides for a heads-up-display (HUD) to notify an operator of relevant information, such as maintenance information, travel indicators, and updated asset queue. The system can identify a next location and calculate an optimum path based on sensor input incorporating machine-specific and environmental characteristics.

A control system is described for a railway convoy, particularly for the transport of goods, comprising wagons, a master locomotive and at least one slave locomotive. The railway convoy comprises a brake pipe which extends along the entire railway convoy. The master locomotive is arranged to control the pressure in the brake pipe and to send traction and/or braking commands to the slave locomotive by means of a communication channel. The at least one slave locomotive comprises a transceiver means arranged to receive the traction and/or braking commands and to re-transmit them to a traction control unit and to a brake control unit of the slave locomotive. The control system includes a safety unit arranged to prevent a relay valve from supplying the pneumatic brake pipe when at least one malfunction condition of the control system for a railway convoy occurs.

A control system is described for a railway convoy, particularly for the transport of goods, comprising wagons, a master locomotive and at least one slave locomotive. The railway convoy comprises a brake pipe which extends along the entire railway convoy. The master locomotive is arranged to control the pressure in the brake pipe and to send traction and/or braking commands to the slave locomotive by means of a communication channel. The at least one slave locomotive comprises a transceiver means arranged to receive the traction and/or braking commands and to re-transmit them to a traction control unit and to a brake control unit of the slave locomotive. The control system includes a safety unit arranged to prevent a relay valve from supplying the pneumatic brake pipe when at least one malfunction condition of the control system for a railway convoy occurs.

A system and method for automating railroad maintenance by a tie gang using electronic tie marking (ETM) configured to optimize railroad asset maintenance. The system enables collision avoidance between members of the tie gang performing maintenance on railway assets (e.g., Rails, Ties, Ballasts, Turnouts, Crossings, etc.). The system can generate production numbers for the railway assets and evaluate an asset queue for the tie gang to perform maintenance. The system can utilize real-time updates from the tie gang to optimize work output. The system can provide a customizable user interface to identify, track, and process information related to maintenance of the railroad asset. The system also provides for a heads-up-display (HUD) to notify an operator of relevant information, such as maintenance information, travel indicators, and updated asset queue. The system can identify a next location and calculate an optimum path based on sensor input incorporating machine-specific and environmental characteristics.