Abstract: A control system for remotely configuring a locomotive includes a plurality of operational control devices located on-board the locomotive, the plurality of operational control devices being configured to implement a change to a designated configuration of the locomotive. A controller located on-board the locomotive is configured to activate the plurality of operational control devices to change the designated configuration of the locomotive upon receipt of a configuration command signal. An off-board remote user interface located remotely from the locomotive is configured to receive a single input from a user commanding a change in configuration of the locomotive, the single input being implemented by activation of a single input device on the remote user interface, and selectively send a configuration command signal to the on-board controller to activate the plurality of operational control devices to change the designated configuration of the locomotive.

Abstract: A railroad personnel scheduling and management system is disclosed. The system may include a personnel database storing qualification data associated with a plurality of railroad personnel and a controller comprising a personnel management module and a communication module. The controller may be configured to receive railroad asset data and personnel location data via the communication module and select a primary personnel from the plurality of railroad personnel in conjunction with the personnel management module and based on the qualification data, the railroad asset data, and the personnel location data. The controller may also be configured to generate a dispatch signal based on the railroad asset data and communicate the dispatch signal to the primary personnel via the communication module.

Abstract: A control system for remotely facilitating a lead change among a plurality of locomotives in a train is disclosed. The control system may include a user input device, a display device, a communicating device configured to exchange information with the plurality of locomotives, and a controller in electronic communication with the user input device, the display device, and the communicating device. The controller may be configured to generate on the display device a graphical user interface configured to receive a plurality of user inputs in conjunction with the user input device, wherein the plurality of user inputs includes an isolation switch selection, a distributed power selection, and a lead/trail selection. The controller may also be configured to generate configuration commands communicable to the plurality of locomotives via the communicating device based on the user inputs.

Abstract: A system for simulating operation of a train is disclosed. The system may include at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an operating status of a component of the train during completion of an assigned trip, a display device, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display. The controller may be configured to generate on the display device a graphical user interface having a plurality of data fields configured to contain simulation data, retrieve from memory first data associated with the train and the assigned trip, and automatically populate the plurality of data fields with the first data. The controller may also be configured to simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the signal and at least a portion of the first data and cause simulation results to be shown on the display.

Abstract: A control system presents a configurable virtual representation of at least a portion of a train and associated train assets, including a real-time location, configuration, and operational status of the train and associated train assets traveling along a railway. The control system may include a train position determining system, and a train configuration determining system. The control system may further include a train asset operational parameter sensing device, and a controller configured to receive data produced by the train position determining system, the train configuration determining system, and the train asset operational parameter sensing device.

Abstract: A ride-through control system for operating locomotives in a train includes a geographic position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a geographic position of a locomotive of a train, and a controller configured to receive the signal indicative of the geographic position of a locomotive and compare the geographic position of the locomotive with one or more pre-determined geographical locations or regions previously identified as geo-fences.

Abstract: A method for managing train assets increases the time between required maintenance of the train assets, improves the future availability of the train assets, or increases the likelihood that the train assets will successfully complete future missions. A controller may receive from a sensor on a train asset a real-time signal indicative of at least one of a measured operational characteristic or a maintenance activity associated with the train asset, receive from a memory prognostic data providing information on a likelihood the train asset will complete a mission, and simulate a hypothetical operational scenario (HOS) based at least in part on the prognostic data and involving one or more train assets. Predictive data associated with the HOS may provide information on a likely benefit to a train asset from a change in at least one of an operational parameter, designated operational configuration for the train assets, or maintenance-related activity.

Abstract: A control system for remotely configuring a locomotive includes a plurality of operational control devices located on-board the locomotive, the plurality of operational control devices being configured to implement a change to a designated configuration of the locomotive. A controller located on-board the locomotive is configured to activate the plurality of operational control devices to change the designated configuration of the locomotive upon receipt of a configuration command signal. An off-board remote user interface located remotely from the locomotive is configured to receive a single input from a user commanding a change in configuration of the locomotive, the single input being implemented by activation of a single input device on the remote user interface, and selectively send a configuration command signal to the on-board controller to activate the plurality of operational control devices to change the designated configuration of the locomotive.

Abstract: An asset management system for a machine is disclosed. The asset management system may include a sensor associated with an asset of the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of an operational status of a system associated with the asset. The asset management system may further include a user interface associated with the machine and a controller in communication with the sensor and the user interface. The controller may be configured to display on the user interface a graphical representation of the asset, receive via the user interface a user selection of the system from a plurality of systems associated with the asset, and display on the graphical representation of the asset a visual indicator of the system in response to the user selection. The visual indicator of the system may indicative of the operational status of the system.

Abstract: A remote data backup system for a locomotive may include a communication unit on-board the locomotive configured to be communicatively coupled with an off-board server. The communication unit may be configured to transmit data to the off-board server and receive at least one of data, commands, and applications from the off-board server. The remote data backup system may also include a central processing module on-board the locomotive comprising a cab electronics system configured to receive and store on-board equipment operational data from outputs of one or more of machine gauges, indicators, sensors, and controls in an on-board memory, process and integrate the received equipment operational data, receive additional equipment operational data and one or more control command signals from the off-board server, and communicate commands based on the equipment operational data and the received control command signals.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in simulating operation of a train. The system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an operating status of a component of the train during completion of an assigned trip. The system may also have a display, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display. The controller may be configured to retrieve from memory first data associated with the assigned trip, and retrieve from memory second data associated with the train. The controller may be further configured to simulate completion of a remainder of the assigned trip based on the first data, the second data, and the signal, when the operating status of the component becomes malfunctioning, and to cause simulation results to be shown on the display.

Abstract: A ride through control system for a machine is disclosed. The ride through control system may include a sensor associated with an asset of the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of an operating parameter of the asset. The ride through control system may also include a user interface associated with the machine and a controller in communication with the sensor and the user interface. The controller may be configured to display on the user interface a plurality of selectable ride through control levels, each being associated with a respective operating parameter threshold, receive via the user interface a user selection of one of the plurality of ride through control levels, and automatically generate a machine control signal based on the signal generated by the sensor and the respective operating parameter threshold associated with the user selection.

Abstract: A control system for a machine may include a component located on-board the machine and having a first state and a second state, wherein the component may be configured to switch from the first state to the second state when an operating parameter of at least one subsystem of the machine deviates from a predetermined range. A control device located on-board the machine may be configured to switch the component between the first state and the second state, and an off-board remote controller interface located remotely from the machine may be configured to receive a maintenance signal from the machine, with the maintenance signal being indicative of the component having switched from the first state to the second state. The off-board remote controller interface may selectively send a command signal to the control device to switch the component from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: A control system for operating locomotives in a train may include a first lead communication unit located on-board a lead locomotive of a lead consist in the train, an off-board remote controller interface, and a second lead communication unit located on-board a lead locomotive of a trailing consist in the train. The first lead communication unit may be configured to transmit locomotive control commands from the lead locomotive of the lead consist off-board to the off-board remote controller interface. The second lead communication unit located on-board the lead locomotive of the trailing consist in the train may be configured to receive control command signals from the off-board remote controller interface, with the control command signals corresponding to the locomotive control commands transmitted from the lead locomotive of the lead consist.

Abstract: A control system for remotely configuring a locomotive may include an operational control device located on-board the locomotive, wherein the operational control device may be configured in a run configuration when the locomotive is ready for travel. An on-board controller located on-board the locomotive may be configured to switch the operational control device to the run configuration upon receipt of a configuration command signal. An off-board remote controller interface located remotely from the locomotive may be configured to receive a configuration failure signal, wherein the configuration failure signal may be indicative of the operational control device being in a configuration other than the run configuration. The off-board remote controller interface may selectively send the configuration command signal to the on-board controller to switch the operational control device to the run configuration.

Abstract: A sand monitoring and control system for a machine is disclosed. The sand monitoring and control system may have a sand box configured to hold sand. The sand monitoring and control system may further have a duct connected to the sand box. The duct may be configured to dispense sand from the sand box to a wheel of the machine. The sand monitoring and control system may also have a valve connected to the duct. In addition, the sand monitoring and control system may have a controller in communication with the valve. The controller may be configured to adjust the valve to control a flow-rate of sand through the duct.