A method of monitoring a track using train cars includes collecting first sensor data corresponding to a track location by a first sensor network on a first train car. Based on the first sensor data, a potential track anomaly at the track location is identified by a diagnostics system on the first train car. A message describing the anomaly is transmitted to diagnostics systems located on other train cars. The message is received by a second diagnostics system on a second train car located behind the first train car. The second diagnostics system determines a time at which the second train car will be passing over track location and, at the determined time, collects second sensor data. If the track anomaly is present in both the first sensor data and the second sensor data at the track location, a train control system is notified of the track anomaly.

A positive train control may comprise a plurality of different sensors coupled to a processor that determines whether there is an anomaly of a track way, and if there is, provides an alert and/or a train control action. The plural sensors may include a visual imager, an infrared imager, a radar, a doppler radar, a laser sensor, a laser ranging device, an acoustic sensor, and/or an acoustic ranging device. Data from the plural sensors is geo-tagged and time tagged. Some embodiments of the train control employ track monitors, switch monitors and/or wayside monitors, and some employ locating devices such as GPS and inertial devices.

In a method or apparatus for transporting bulk goods by rail cars on a rail network to a rail car handling terminal where the handling terminal includes a loading and/or unloading system with a metering device for measuring an amount of the bulk goods loaded or unloaded. At the terminal there is a center control data hub connecting to a plurality of portable hand held field computers and a communication system for communication with the rail network to obtain a Car Location Message (CLM), a way bill and mechanical data for each of the rail cars. The center control hub generates data indicating a current stage of each of the railcars and a signal indicative that a rail car can be transferred from one stage to another stage to the portable computers to control transfer of the rail car from one stage to the next stage.

A system is provided that may include a first communication controller that may communicate with a vehicle system formed from two or more vehicles. The first communication controller may operate in different modes, including a first mode to control movement of the vehicle system without repeating any control signals communicated between the vehicles, and in a second mode to monitor different frequencies for receipt of the control signals, receive and repeat a first control signal of the control signals at a first frequency, and receive and repeats a second control signal of the control signals at a second frequency. The first communication controller may also operate in a third mode in which the first communication controller may monitor the first frequency but not the second frequency for the first control signal, receives the first control signal at the first frequency, and repeats the first control signal at the first frequency.

A system is provided that may include a first communication controller that may communicate with a vehicle system formed from two or more vehicles. The first communication controller may operate in different modes, including a first mode to control movement of the vehicle system without repeating any control signals communicated between the vehicles, and in a second mode to monitor different frequencies for receipt of the control signals, receive and repeat a first control signal of the control signals at a first frequency, and receive and repeats a second control signal of the control signals at a second frequency. The first communication controller may also operate in a third mode in which the first communication controller may monitor the first frequency but not the second frequency for the first control signal, receives the first control signal at the first frequency, and repeats the first control signal at the first frequency.

A communication system includes at least one first communicator, a second communicator, and a notifier. The at least one first communicator is installable in a boundary area between a first zone and a second zone. The second communicator is installable on a carried object to be carried by a person movable in the first zone. The second communicator communicates with the at least one first communicator. The notifier notifies the person carrying the carried object in response to the second communicator receiving a first signal from the at least one first communicator.

A system for connecting and disconnecting rail vehicle system for storing, transporting, and delivering bulk electric energy using railroads is described. The system includes. The system includes at least one rail vehicle system. The rail vehicle system includes a locomotive and a group of rail cars. The group of rails cars includes several rail cars with energy storage, power electronics and communication system. The rail car further includes a pantograph. The system also includes a plurality of electrical feeders. The electrical feeders are substantially dedicated for providing power transfer to and from the respective groups of rail cars. The system further includes at least one position controls system. The position control system is configured to be coupled to the geographical location of at least one electrical feeder, and it is substantially dedicated for aligning the geographical location of at least one group of rail cars with the geographical location of the respective electrical feeders for the group of rail cars. The system further includes energy management system for the controls of charging and discharging of onboard energy storage on the rail vehicle system.

A system for connecting and disconnecting rail vehicle system for storing, transporting, and delivering bulk electric energy using railroads is described. The system includes. The system includes at least one rail vehicle system. The rail vehicle system includes a locomotive and a group of rail cars. The group of rails cars includes several rail cars with energy storage, power electronics and communication system. The rail car further includes a pantograph. The system also includes a plurality of electrical feeders. The electrical feeders are substantially dedicated for providing power transfer to and from the respective groups of rail cars. The system further includes at least one position controls system. The position control system is configured to be coupled to the geographical location of at least one electrical feeder, and it is substantially dedicated for aligning the geographical location of at least one group of rail cars with the geographical location of the respective electrical feeders for the group of rail cars. The system further includes energy management system for the controls of charging and discharging of onboard energy storage on the rail vehicle system.

A self-propelled railcar having a structure; at least one bogie attached to the structure, a sensor suite; a propulsion motor; and an energy storage system. The at least one bogie having at least one powered axle. The sensor suite has a processor and a plurality of sensors. The energy storage system includes a controller and a power source, wherein the controller provides energy from the power source to the propulsion motor to the powered axle in a predetermined manner to control movement of the self-propelled railcar. The energy storage system may be off-board.

A self-propelled railcar having a structure; at least one bogie attached to the structure, a sensor suite; a propulsion motor; and an energy storage system. The at least one bogie having at least one powered axle. The sensor suite has a processor and a plurality of sensors. The energy storage system includes a controller and a power source, wherein the controller provides energy from the power source to the propulsion motor to the powered axle in a predetermined manner to control movement of the self-propelled railcar. The energy storage system may be off-board.