Abstract: A mechanical sand remover removes sand from a railroad rail and includes an actuator and a pair of web wiper pads having a lateral dimension that corresponds to a lateral dimension of a rail web of the railroad rail. A caliper mechanism is mechanically coupled to the actuator and is operable thereby into a retraction state and an engagement state. The caliper mechanism includes a pair of caliper arms respectively coupled to the web wiper pads at an angle relative thereto.

Abstract: A track rail fastening system includes a rail cushion positionable laterally between a first fastener assembly and a second fastener assembly. The rail cushion includes a first full-length pad and a second full-length pad, and a pin field formed by a plurality of deformable pins. The first full-length pad and the second full-length pad define a first rail cushioning plane. The deformable pins in the pin field define a second rail cushioning plane. The cushion is deformable between a rest configuration where the cushioning planes are spaced, and a loaded configuration where the cushioning planes are co-planar. Primary, lower load deformable pins are configured to deflect such that under sufficient load both the primary, lower load deformable pins, and secondary, higher load pins engage an underlying substrate.

Abstract: A train control system uses sensory inputs related to operational parameters of a train for automatically scoring or classifying particular train driving strategies implemented by a machine learning model for a particular train operating on a predefined route or route segment. The train control system includes one or more predefined rules related to one or more of a first set of the operational parameters, wherein each of the rules defines a Boolean, true or false classification based on whether a particular train driving strategy results in one or more of the first set of operational parameters complying with the rule. One or more comparative key performance indicators are related to one or more of a second set of operational parameters, and are used to rank the particular train driving strategy for the predefined route or route segment relative to a different train driving strategy for the same or comparable route or route segment.

Abstract: A direct fixation track rail fastener includes a first clip shoulder and a second clip shoulder each having a clip tunnel formed therein. Each clip tunnel is formed in part by a plurality of clip contact faces defining a first prong contact line and a second prong contact line for a prong of a rail clip. The configuration of multiple line contacts prevents undesired displacement of a rail clip during service.

Abstract: A direct fixation track rail fastener includes a rail plate having a first restraint hole and a second restraint hole upon opposite lateral sides of a rail support surface. The fastener also includes a frame including a first vertical protrusion and a second vertical protrusion received through the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole. A non-metallic cushion extends between the rail plate and the frame and vertically upward to surround the first vertical protrusion and the second vertical protrusion within the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole, respectively. The configuration assists in limiting displacement of the rail plate and frame relative to one another.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the one or more processors, storing processor-executable instructions that cause the one or processors to perform operations. The operations include, prior to a train departing from a departure location: generating, one or more train departure strategies for a segment of a trip for the train traveling on a track from the departure location where the train is stationary, displaying information associated with the segment of the track, playing a simulation of the train traveling on the track over the segment based on the one or more train departure strategies, the simulation beginning from when the train is stationary at the departure location; receiving a selection of a train departure strategy, and engaging the selected train departure strategy for operating the train from the departure location where the train is stationary.

Abstract: A train control system uses artificial intelligence for maintaining synchronization between centralized and distributed train control models. A machine learning engine receives training data from a data acquisition hub, a first set of output control commands from a centralized virtual system modeling engine, and a second set of output control commands from a distributed virtual system modeling engine. The machine learning engine compares the first set of output control commands and the second set of output control commands, and trains a learning system using the training data to enable the machine learning engine to safely mitigate any difference between the first and second sets of output control commands using a learning function including at least one learning parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting buckled rail and for predicting a risk for rail buckling is disclosed. The method may comprise receiving data from a camera mounted on locomotive traveling on the railroad track. The data may include images of the buckled rail and dimensions of the buckled rail when the camera detects the buckled rail. The data may further include images of the ballast and condition of the ballast. The method may further comprise receiving data from a thermal camera mounted to the locomotive indicating the temperature of the rails. The method may further comprise transmitting an alarm signal to a display interface of a remote unit if the dimensions of the buckled rail meet a predetermined threshold, and predicting a risk for rail buckling based at least on the temperature of the rails and the condition of the ballast.

Abstract: A control system and method for a machine is disclosed. The control system may comprise a machine controller configured to activate autonomous remote operation of the machine based on parameters. The parameters may include a range, a set-point and an obstruction status, wherein the range is a distance from the machine to an operator.

Abstract: A machine learning system for maintaining distributed computer control systems for a train may include a data acquisition hub communicatively connected to a plurality of sensors configured to acquire real-time configuration data from one or more of the computer control systems. The machine learning system may also include an analytics server communicatively connected to the data acquisition hub. The analytics server may include a virtual system modeling engine configured to model an actual train control system comprising the distributed computer control systems, a virtual system model database configured to store one or more virtual system models of the distributed computer control systems, wherein each of the one or more virtual system models includes preset configuration settings for the distributed computer control systems, and a machine learning engine configured to monitor the real-time configuration data and the preset configuration settings.

Abstract: A shuttle valve for a control valve coupled to an electronic fuel injector is disclosed. The shuttle valve may include a shuttle valve first end including an armature attachment portion operably coupled to an armature of the control valve and a shuttle valve second end opposite the shuttle valve first end defining a sealing portion of the control valve including an annular sealing surface. A valve guide portion may extend axially along a portion of the shuttle valve between the first and second ends. Furthermore, an engagement surface portion may be defined along the valve guide portion that is slidably engaged with a valve bore. Moreover, the shuttle valve may include a non-engagement surface portion defined along the valve guide portion, wherein the non-engagement surface is a non-continuous surface around a circumference of the valve guide portion and wherein the non-engagement surface is interspersed between portions of the engagement surface.

Abstract: A spring anchor assembly for fastening track rail includes a spring anchor having a hook end, a tail end, and a middle section. An insulator is fitted upon the spring anchor and includes a plurality of rib walls extending fore and aft between a first outer insulator wall and a second outer insulator wall. The outer insulator walls form downward depending wall sections extending, respectively, from termination locations of the rib walls to the lower peripheral edges. A channel is formed between the wall sections and receives the middle section, contacted by the plurality of rib walls at the termination locations. The insulator insulates the spring anchor to limit leaking electrical currents from the track rail to ground.

Abstract: Automated storage is provide for a ballast wing mounted on a regulator frame of a ballast regulator machine. A machine controller may detect actuation of a wing activation switch and, in response, actuate a wing lift cylinder connected between the regulator frame and a wing arm to dispose the wing arm within a predetermined safe zone, actuate a wing pivot cylinder to rotate a wing frame to a wing frame stored position, actuate a wing extension cylinder to retract the wing arm extension to a retracted position within the wing arm, and actuate the wing lift cylinder to rotate the ballast wing to a stored position adjacent the regulator frame.

Abstract: A work machine including a frame, an engine, a wing and a wing lock. The wing being pivotably mounted to the frame, and the wing being actuatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wing lock assembly being mounted to the frame, and configured to capture a portion of the wing when the wing is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A fastening system for track rail includes a molded support block, and a direct fixation fastener positioned upon an upper side of the molded support block. The direct fixation fastener includes a metallic frame and a non-metallic overmolded jacket. Clamping fasteners of the fastening system are structured to engage with retention elements integrally molded in a concrete matrix material of the molded support block to clamp the direct fixation fastener to the upper side within a range of lateral positions.

Abstract: A train control system includes independent virtual in-train forces modelling engines onboard each of a plurality of locomotives in a train. Each of the plurality of locomotives may also include an analytics engine and a calibration engine configured to assimilate, analyze, and calibrate real time information from other locomotives and from draft gears and couplers interconnecting the locomotives with determinations made by the independent virtual in-train forces modelling engine onboard the respective locomotive, with the plurality of locomotives of the train being configured to operate collectively and coordinate their own acceleration values based on a common goal of minimizing in-train forces without being dependent on a command from a lead locomotive or central command.

Abstract: A tool head is disclosed. The tool head has a frame, a tool connected to the frame, an inner rotation manifold connected to the frame, a rotation motor that rotates a spindle, and an outer rotation manifold surrounding the inner rotation manifold. The outer rotation manifold is connected to the rotation motor in a fixed manner. The spindle continuously rotates the inner rotation manifold inside of the outer rotation manifold around an axis of the inner rotation manifold, and the frame and tool are rotated with inner rotation manifold.

Abstract: A system that includes a detection device, an imaging device, and a control device is disclosed. The detection device may generate proximity data relating to a proximity of an undercarriage of a rail vehicle, and the imaging device may capture one or more thermal images of the undercarriage. The control device may receive a first thermal image and a second thermal image of the undercarriage. The first thermal image may be captured using a first integration time, and the second thermal image may be captured using a second integration time. The control device may determine composite thermal data associated with the undercarriage. The composite thermal data may include information mapping a first range of thermal data and mapping a second range of thermal data to one or more components of the undercarriage. The control device may cause an action to be performed in connection with the composite thermal data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting operation of a train are disclosed. A method may include: receiving one or more infrared images of a brake line of the train; detecting one or more leaks of the brake line based on the one or more infrared images; and adjusting a brake command based on the detected one or more leaks.

Abstract: A train control system may include a data acquisition hub connected to a database and sensors associated with one or more locomotives, systems, or components of a train and configured to acquire data in association with inputs derived from contextual data relating to a plurality of trains being operated by experienced train engineers under a variety of different conditions and in different geographical areas for use as training data. A machine learning engine of the train control system may receive the training data from the data acquisition hub, encode a modified learning function as a statistical model of desirable train handling behavior, evaluate train handling behavior by comparing to the statistical model, and update a certification of one or more of a train engineer, a semi-autonomous control system, or a fully autonomous control system.