Abstract: A hose support system for a rail car having a support which includes a flat strap having first and second ends and a tongue connected to the first end of the strap and extending along the strap towards the second end of the strap. A connector at one end of the strap is positioned in a car aperture and a connector at the other end of the strap is positioned in a hose aperture. A resilient element connects the loop at one end of the strap to its connector. A clasp is adjustably positioned on the strap between the ends of the strap and adjusts the length of the strap between the ends. The tongue extends through the clasp. At least one of the connectors may include a loop and a throat extending substantially tangential to the loop. Alternatively, one or more of the connectors may include a spiral. A bearing ring separates the connector and the strap.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the lever ratio of the brake system by adjusting the pivot points of the lever to the beam and the actuator elements to the lever. The brake beams each include a pair of spaced beam members connected by weldments which may include actuator mounts, hand brake fulcrum plates and brake heads. The brake head is welded to a back plate welded to the beam member and may be removed from the back plate by cutting the weld therebetween.

Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. A first control transmits a car brake signal on an electrical network for train brake commands to EP cars. A second control transmits a locomotive brake signal on the locomotive brake pipe for train and locomotive brake commands. The brake system may have a pneumatic mode and an electrical mode. The first control transmits car brake signals on the network in the electrical mode and the second control transmits car brake signals on the train brake pipe for the pneumatic mode. The second control transmits locomotive brake signals on the locomotive brake pipe in either mode. If the train is all electropneumatic, cars and locomotive braking signals are provided on the network.

Abstract: A parking brake for a rail car vehicle including an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump fluidly connected to and controlling a bidirectional hydraulic actuator coupleable to the rail car's wheel brakes. An electric controller is connected to the pump and controls activation/deactivation of the pump with the controller including various switches. Also included is a coupler for coupling the actuator to one of a brake beam or an actuator of the parking brake.

Abstract: A beacon system for determining its position and transmitting its location to trains on the track. The length of the zone and any operational restrictions can also be transmitted. The location of the zone can be displayed on the train. The beacon system uses a global navigational position system for determining its location, and a transmitter for transmitting its location to trains on the track.

Abstract: The vigilance process includes receiving inputs of operator activity and determining the presence or absence of activity inputs during a first delay period. The operator is warned, if activity inputs are absent during the first period. If the warning period expires before being cancelled, a vigilance penalty signal is produced. The brakes are applied for a first predetermined period in response to the vigilance penalty signal.

Abstract: A method of integral operating the brake and propulsion systems includes determining if the brake command signal is a pneumatic or electrical system initiated emergency brake command or an operator initiated emergency brake command. A brake signal and an emergency propulsion signal are transmitted on the network for pneumatic and electrical system and operator initiated brake commands. A brake signal is transmitted on the train brake pipe for operator and pneumatic system initiated brake commands.

Abstract: A trainline communication controller for placement on a rail car or locomotive of a train in order form a network having a housing with a front plate assembly which includes a plurality of external electrical receptacles. A plurality of circuits, including surface connectors, are positioned in the housing. A printed circuit board including connectors mating directly with the surface connectors of the circuits and wherein the receptacles are mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An integrated pneumatic and electropneumatic train brake system and method of operation. An electropneumatic brake controller in at least one of the locomotives provides an emergency brake signal on a brake pipe and the network to the pneumatic and electropneumatic brakes for an emergency position of the operator interface. The brake controller also provides an emergency signal only on the network to the electropneumatic brakes in the continuous service position of the operator interface.

Abstract: A truck mounted brake beam including at least a primary beam having a center section and a pair of end sections with guide feet. The center portion may include two opposed channel elements, each having a horizontal base and two vertical walls, joined by fasteners or weldments. The weldments are hollow and the bases include openings to the hollow of the weldments. The cross-section of the end portions of at least one of the channeled elements is smaller than the cross-section of a center portion of the at least one channeled element. A method of making a beam brake beam, comprising: obtaining two channeled elements each having a base and two vertical walls; separating an end portion of one of the walls from the base; removing a section of the base adjacent the separated wall; attaching the separated end to the end of the base; and, permanently joining the channeled elements.

Abstract: A method using the position data being determined on the train to determine characteristics of the train and/or the track. This is achieved by providing position determining devices at two or more spaced locations along the train. The position of the two locations are determined by the position determining devices. A processor determines the difference between the two locations from the positions determined by the position determining devices and determines the characteristics of the train from the determined difference between the two locations.

Abstract: A single car tester including a housing having a hanger to mount the housing to a car coupler or ladder of the car. Various configurations of valves and sensors are described to perform a single car test. The controller includes a program for uniquely performing the required tests.

Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. A first control transmits a car brake signal on an electrical network for train brake commands to EP cars. A second control transmits a locomotive brake signal on the locomotive brake pipe for train and locomotive brake commands. The brake system may have a pneumatic mode and an electrical mode. The first control transmits car brake signals on the network in the electrical mode and the second control transmits car brake signals on the train brake pipe for the pneumatic mode. The second control transmits locomotive brake signals on the locomotive brake pipe in either mode. If the train is all electropneumatic, cars and locomotive braking signals are provided on the network. Distributive power may also be transmitted over the network in the electrical mode.

Abstract: This is a method of analyzing train handling by setting a standard for the run, collecting train operating or handling data from the run and determining operating constraints during the run which are not included in the standard run. The determination of operating constraints during a run also includes determining differences between the operating constraints during the run of those included in the standard. The train handling data is compared to the standard and the comparison is adjusted for the operating constraints. The adjustment of the comparison includes nullifying any deviation of the handling data from the standard resulting from the operating constraints. A report is created from the standard and the handling data correlating the energy usage for specific categories. These categories include one or more of pneumatic braking, dynamic braking and track topology. The report further includes energy adjustments for the operating constraints determined during the run.

Abstract: A single car tester including a housing having a hanger to mount the housing to a car coupler or ladder of the car. Various configurations of valves and sensors are described to perform a single car test. The controller includes a program for uniquely performing the required tests.

Abstract: A handle mechanism to be mounted to a stem of a valve element. The mechanism includes a socket to be fixed to the stem of the valve element, a handle portion including a clevis having a pair of legs and a base joining the legs and pivotally connected to the socket at a lug of the socket and a generally C-shaped spring. The spring has a first end and a second end. The spring engages the lug surface and the top surface of the base over a substantial portion of the spring. A method of installing the spring, including hooking a lip at a first end of the spring over a back surface of the base of the clevis, pivoting a second end of the spring down onto the lug surface and snapping the second end of the spring on a bottom portion of the lug surface.

Abstract: An ectropneumatic brake control valve unit capable of operating at the interface of the emergency brake portion or the service brake portion of a standard brake control valve as a retrofit unit or operating as a stand alone electropneumatic unit. The unit includes electric valves responsive to electrical signals and sensed brake pipe pressures to operate pneumatic valves to control the brake cylinder. The pneumatic valves are also operable independent of the electric control valves so as to allow braking with the electrical controls off or disabled. The unit can operate in combination with a complete brake control valve or with either or none of its emergency and service portions.

Abstract: A vent valve made from a standard emergency brake valve portion. It includes an emergency portion body with an interface to be mated with the emergency portion interface of the pipe bracket. The body includes a casting with at least one cover and the casting including all the cast cavities and passages for an emergency portion. A vent valve selectively connects a first brake pipe port to a vent port on the body, A vent piston controls the vent valve and a discharge valve pneumatically controls the vent piston. An emergency piston is responsive to brake pipe pressure for controlling the discharge valve. The body does not include at least one of an in shot valve and an accelerated application valve.

Abstract: A brake control unit having a brake cylinder valve (62), equalization reservoir valve (82), brake signal valve (89), and brake back-up valve (182).

Abstract: A single car tester including a housing having a hanger to mount the housing to a car coupler or ladder of the car. Various configurations of valves and sensors are described to perform a single car test. The controller includes a program for uniquely performing the required tests.