Abstract: A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system, a transceiver for communication between the locomotives, and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command.

Abstract: A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system, a transceiver for communication between the locomotives, and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command.

Abstract: A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system, a transceiver for communication between the locomotives, and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command.

Abstract: A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system, a transceiver for communication between the locomotives, and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command.

Abstract: A train simulator, including a microprocessor, a display and an input device for the microprocessor. A program drives the display with the track data during simulation, determines if an exception has occurred during the simulation; and provides a multimedia message if an exception has occurred.

Abstract: A method of optimizing marshalling rail cars into a train at a site and includes determining the track configuration at the site; determining location on the tracks of cars to be marshaled; determining characteristics of the cars to be marshaled; and determining marshalling rules. A calculation is performed to determine an optimum sequence of moves to marshal the cars into a train from the determined track configuration, location on the tracks of cars, characteristics of the cars and the marshalling rules. The resulting sequence is outputted.

Abstract: A method of processing and displaying train performance including analyzing train data received from the train or train simulator real time or from a data storage and preparing display data of the results of the analysis. Computer graphic images are created from the display data; and the computer graphic images are provided for display. A display may be a drive with the display data and displayed portions of the display data may be selected to be created into computer graphic images. The computer graphic images may be transmitted over the internet or stored on a portable store and ultimately displayed on a video player. The computer graphic images may be viewed and edited or enhanced.

Abstract: A train simulator, including a microprocessor, a display and an input device for the microprocessor. A program drives the display with the track data during simulation, determines if an exception has occurred during the simulation; and provides a multimedia message if an exception has occurred.

Abstract: A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system; a transceiver for communication between the locomotives; and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command.

Abstract: A method of optimizing marshalling rail cars into a train at a site and includes determining the track configuration at the site; determining location on the tracks of cars to be marshaled; determining characteristics of the cars to be marshaled; and determining marshalling rules. A calculation is performed to determine an optimum sequence of moves to marshal the cars into a train from the determined track configuration, location on the tracks of cars, characteristics of the cars and the marshalling rules. The resulting sequence is outputted.

Abstract: A method of transferring files between a computer on board a train and a remote station including determining if the remote station is within range of the train and establishing wireless communication between the onboard computer and the remote station. Next, the computer determines whether there are files to be transferred, and if so, transfers the file. If the remote station has updates to be transferred to the train, such updates are transferred to the onboard computer. Files and updates are also transferred between remote stations and between remote stations and a home base station. A method of adjusting a simulator includes inputting data from the train onto a simulator. The simulator is operated with the data and the simulator automatically adjusts the parameters of the simulator until the data of the simulator matches the data from the train. The data can then be process and analyzed.

Abstract: A method of transferring files between a computer on board a train and a remote station including determining if the remote station is within range of the train and establishing wireless communication between the onboard computer and the remote station. Next, the computer determines whether there are files to be transferred, and if so, transfers the file. If the remote station has updates to be transferred to the train, such updates are transferred to the onboard computer. Files and updates are also transferred between remote stations and between remote stations and a home base station. A method of adjusting a simulator includes inputting data from the train onto a simulator. The simulator is operated with the data and the simulator automatically adjusts the parameters of the simulator until the data of the simulator matches the data from the train. The data can then be process and analyzed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a train for a crew change and includes collecting information on the train including weight and length of the train, special weight distribution, number and location of cars with cut-out or inoperative brakes, status of dynamic brakes on all locomotives, if brake test is required, and prior train brake problems. The information is stored as a report and displayed at a crew change. The train is disabled until the crew has accepted the report.

Abstract: A remote control locomotive simulator including a display and a first input device similar to a remote control locomotive controller to be operated by the operator to provide train signals. A computer drives the display to move a train relative to a track in response to the train signals. A remote control locomotive controller may be an actual remote control locomotive system or may be a virtual remote control locomotive controller where the input device is one or more of a keyboard, a mouse or a touch screen of the computer. Data associated with a simulator session of this device is recorded and made available for real-time or post-processing analysis including visual review of train management using the included computer generated graphics system.

Abstract: A portable train simulator, including a microprocessor, a display and an input device for the microprocessor. A first program drives the display to depict indicia of a control stand and to respond to control inputs from the input device. A second program drives the display to depict a track to be traversed from a data file in response to the control inputs. A virtual control stand is one of the elements that allows the true portability of a train simulator. The system can display and switch between the present operating parameters of the train and/or a history of the operating parameters of the train, as selected by the input device. Thus, the system can switch from playback mode to simulation mode to provide a take-over of recorded conditions to allow an operator to explore alternate methods for managing the train.

Abstract: An integrated train control system (FIGS. 1 and 6) is a combination of systems including: EP-60 (FIG. 2) CCBII (FIG. 3), Wired DP (FIG. 4), and LEADER (FIG. 5). The integrated train control system (FIG. 6) includes a master controller (MMI) cooperating with features of EP-60, CCBII, LEADER, and Wired DP to control car control devices (CCD) through ITC network.

Abstract: A test system for computerized single car test devices. The test system includes at least one car tester having a first connector for connecting a first port to a brake pipe of the car, valves for selectively interconnecting ports of the tester, at least one pressure sensor sensing pressure at one or more of the ports, a communication circuit and a local controller connected to the valves and sensor and programmed to perform a test of the brake system and connected to the communication circuit to transmit test results. A plurality of car testers may be in communion with and controlled by the central controller at the same time.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a railroad hump yard, including storing a profile of the hump yard. The commands sent to one or more of the retarding devices and track switches are determined. The telemetry of a car at at least one point after release over the hump is obtained. Finally, the telemetry of the car for the remainder of the path in the hump yard is calculated. The calculated telemetry of the car over the path in the hump yard may be displayed real time or may be stored and subsequently displayed. A remote control locomotive device includes operator input, a display, a data base of at least a track profile and a program to drive the display with the location of the train on the track profile.

Abstract: A method of controlling a train for a crew change and includes collecting information on the train including weight and length of the train, special weight distribution, number and location of cars with cut-out or inoperative brakes, status of dynamic brakes on all locomotives, if brake test is required, and prior train brake problems. The information is stored as a report and displayed at a crew change. The train is disabled until the crew has accepted the report.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a railroad hump yard, including storing a profile of the hump yard. The commands sent to one or more of the retarding devices and track switches are determined. The telemetry of a car at at least one point after release over the hump is obtained. Finally, the telemetry of the car for the remainder of the path in the hump yard is calculated. The calculated telemetry of the car over the path in the hump yard may be displayed real time or may be stored and subsequently displayed. A remote control locomotive device includes operator input, a display, a data base of at least a track profile and a program to drive the display with the location of the train on the track profile.