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 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 method of optimizing train operation and training in a moving train includes determining the train's conditions and calculating a desired response to the present conditions of the train to achieve a goal. The engineer's response is determined and the train's conditions resulting from the engineer's response is determined and may be displayed on the train. The desired response, for example brake and propulsion settings, may be displayed after determining the engineer's response. The engineer is qualified from the comparison of the engineer's response to the desired response to the condition. Access to the locomotive controls may be controlled using a user identification and determining the qualification level of the user. The qualification level can be updated based on the training session.

Abstract: The gasket is for use in detachably connecting two similar coupling members on the ends of air brake hoses for railroad cars to form an airtight connection. The gasket provides a ramped entrance angle and a wide sealing surface for providing better alignment and sealing during coupling with another similar member.

Abstract: An electronic brake controller for an electropneumatic brake system including a housing having at least one brake operator and a display mounted to display the desired brake action. A controller in the housing determines the position of the operator and provides operator position signals at its outputs and drives the display to display the desired braking action as a function of the determined position of the operator. Additional information provided to the controller may also be displayed.

Abstract: An electropneumatic 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 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 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 method of optimizing train operation and training in a moving train includes determining the train's conditions and calculating a desired response to the present conditions of the train to achieve a goal. The engineer's response is determined and the train's conditions resulting from the engineer's response is determined and may be displayed on the train. The desired response, for example brake and propulsion settings, may be displayed after determining the engineer's response. The engineer is qualified from the comparison of the engineer's response to the desired response to the condition. Access to the locomotive controls may be controlled using a user identification and determining the qualification level of the user. The qualification level can be updated based on the training session.

Abstract: An electropneumatic brake controller of the present invention including a main reservoir, pneumatic brake pipe relay and first and second restrictions connected in series with the main reservoir, the brake pipe relay and brake pipe and first electropneumatic valve connected in parallel to the second restriction. The second restriction is smaller than the first restriction. The first electropneumatic valve is responsive to an electric release signal to cut out the second restriction. When the two restrictions are in series, this is the running mode whereas when the second restriction is cut out, this is the release mode. A control unit controls the electropneumatic valves to produce an overcharge cycle in response to a release brake signal. This cycle includes overcharging the brake pipe, holding the overcharged condition for a fixed period of time and bleeding to a normal release brake pipe pressure.

Abstract: A diaphragm piston having a diaphragm between a body and plate. A post integral with and extends from the body through the diaphragm and the plate. A stop is coupled to the post and limits the axial movement of the plate away from the body. A spring seat is coupled to the post. A spring is between the plate and the spring seat. The post includes a first shoulder and the stop engages the first shoulder. The stop includes an orifice shaped to move axially on the post past the first shoulder and rotate about the post and engage the first shoulder. The first shoulder has at least one circumferential recess and the orifice in the stop includes a radial tab smaller than the recess. A first lock prevents rotation between the stop and the post. A second lock is also provided preventing rotation between the plate and post. A unique stem which guides the diaphragm piston in a valve seat is provided.

Abstract: A method of identifying and locating the trainline power supplies wherein the power supplies each are a node on a network. The locations of the power supply is determined by causing the power supply node to transmit its identity on the network. The power supply node includes a service pin and a signal is supplied to the service pin to cause the power supply node to transmit its identity on the network. A second node is provided at an identifiable location with each power supply and is commanded to cause the power supply at its location to transmit its identity on the network.

Abstract: A method of and a system for minimizing undesirable brake release in the brake system of a train having a pneumatic brake on each car connected to a brake pipe which is controlled by a brake pipe controller. The method includes determining the status of the brake system throughout the train and determining a minimal brake pipe reduction for the brake pipe controller, using the status of the brake system. The determined minimal brake pipe reduction is displayed by itself or in combination with the brake pipe reduction produced by the brake pipe controller.

Abstract: An empty-load device with an additional brake cylinder test port which is at the same pressure as the brake cylinder port of the empty-load device. The empty-load device includes a housing and pipe bracket having a brake cylinder, a control valve and brake cylinder test ports. The brake cylinder port and the brake cylinder test port are on one side of the valve seat of the load responsive valve and the control valve port is on an opposite side of the valve seat. A check valve is provided in the brake cylinder test port which is opened when a connector is mated with a brake cylinder test port.

Abstract: A truck mounted rail brake including at least a primary beam having a center section and a pair of end sections with guide end extensions. A brake head is removably mounted to the end sections by a pin. The pin is dimensioned to allow pivotal movement of the brake head about the pin. The pin is retained in the brake head by either a tab or another pin above and transverse to the first pin.

Abstract: A leading end termination connector on each locomotive and an EP line termination circuit in the leading end termination connector. The leading end connector of a locomotive not connected to an adjacent locomotive is connected to the leading end termination connector. This provides protection for the non-connected leading end connector as well as providing appropriate electrical termination on the EP line.

Abstract: A method of serialization including establishing a parameter along a length of the train between a node on one of the cars and one end of the train. The presence or absence of the parameter at each node is determined and the parameter is removed. The sequence is repeated for each node on the train. Finally, serialization of the cars is determined as a function of the number of either determined presences or absences of the parameter for each node. The parameter can be established by providing at the individual node, one at a time, an electric load across an electric line running through the length of the train and measuring an electrical property, either current or voltage, at each node. The same process is used to determine the orientation of a car. The operability of each node is determined by counting the presence and then the absence of a parameter along the whole train.

Abstract: A three position retaining valve wherein a slide in a rotating valve element has a seal which controls the connection of the inlet to the outlet for only one of three passages in the valve element. Preferably, the body, handle, valve element and slide are plastic and the handle and valve elements are unitary. The valve element is retained in the body by a flanged retaining ring and snap ring. The flanged retaining ring also retains a stop for the slide in the valve element. The handle includes a race and recesses cooperating with a stop and detent respectively on the body for the three positions.

Abstract: A truck mounted rail brake 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, jointed by the fasteners or first weldments. The vertical walls of the opposed channeled elements may extend either from the base towards each other or away from each other. The first weldments are hollow and the bases include openings to the hollow of the first weldments. The cross-section of the end portions of at least one of the channeled elements are smaller than the cross-section of a center portion of the at least one channeled element.

Abstract: A cable system including device connectors connected to electropneumatic valves and electrical sensors at predetermined positions along a path on a common manifold and a wiring harness having a length sufficient to transverse the path. The wiring harness includes a plurality of insulated wires in a common sheath and selectively connected to harness connectors which are mounted at predetermined positions to the harness and mate with a corresponding device connector. The path is a closed loop and the wiring harness forms a corresponding closed loop. The majority of the wires in the wiring harness form the corresponding close loop.