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: 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 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 notification system is presented for use within a mobile machine. The notification system may have a route upon which the mobile machine may travel. This may be a train traveling on a track. A geo-fence may also be part of the notification system. The geo-fence may enclose at least a portion of the route through with the mobile machine may travel. The notification system may also include a status notification. The status notification may relate to the operational health of the mobile machine or a subsystem of the mobile machine. The status notification may be generated by the notification system when the mobile machine enters the geo-fence and received by a user.

Abstract: A visual diagnostic system for a rail vehicle having multiple assets is disclosed. The visual diagnostic system may have a data interface configured to receive a message from a wayside unit. The message may indicate that at least one of the multiple assets is experiencing an issue. The data interface may also be configured to receive geo-information and configuration-information. The system further includes a controller configured to determine, from the geo-information and the configuration-information, a geographic location of each of the multiple assets. The controller is further configured to determine, from the received message and the determined geographic location of each of the multiple assets, which of the multiple assets is experiencing the issue. The controller is further configured to render for display in a user interface a visual representation of the rail vehicle with an identification of the at least one of the multiple assets experiencing the issue.

Abstract: A visual diagnostic system for a rail vehicle having multiple assets is disclosed. The visual diagnostic system may have a data interface configured to receive a data stream from a wayside unit. The data stream includes values of a plurality of parameters measured made by the wayside unit. The data interface may also be configured to receive geo-information and configuration-information. The system further includes a memory device configured to store the data stream and a controller configured to determine, from the geo-information and the configuration-information, a geographic location of each of the multiple assets. The controller is further configured to determine prognostic information associated with an operational status of each of the multiple assets. The controller may further render for display in a user interface a visual representation of the rail vehicle with the prognostic information for each asset of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A system for tracking train assets is disclosed. The tracking system may include an image capture device configured to collect an image data set of a train asset and an area surrounding the train asset. Furthermore, the image data set may be associated with a time stamp and in one non-limiting example, the time stamp provides a collection time of the image data set. In some embodiments, a controller may be configured to receive the image data set and to perform an analysis of the image data set and the analysis provides a track location of the train asset and an identification of the train asset.

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 moveable plow for a locomotive suitable for operating in sandy environments is provided. The moveable plow comprises a body and a wearable lip. The body forms a curl at its top edge along substantially the entire body width to channel the flow of sand outwardly. The lip is removably affixed to the body and contacts a rail. The moveable plow is attached to a bogie by a pneumatically operated height adjusting mechanism that can raise or lower the moveable plow. The moveable plow and rail define a sweep angle equal to or greater than an angle of repose of the sand in the surrounding environment.

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 geo-fence management system for a machine is disclosed. The geo-fence management system may include a user interface having a display and an input device. The user interface may be configured to receive via the input device a first input indicative of geographic information, a second input indicative of an operating parameter of the machine associated with the geographic information, and a third input indicative of one or more of a task and a request to monitor data associated with the operating parameter of the machine. The geo-fence management system may also include a controller in communication with the user interface and configured to generate a command signal based on one or more of the first, second, and third inputs.

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 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 railroad management system is disclosed. The railroad management system may include a display device configured to display information to an operator and a controller in electronic communication with the display device. The controller may include a train control module configured to receive input data from one or more train control systems and a business systems module configured to receive input data from one or more railroad data management systems. The controller may also include an integration module configured to identify discrepancies among the input data from the one or more train control systems and the railroad data management systems and generate corrected input data based on the input data from the one or more train control systems and the railroad data management systems. The controller may be configured to display one or more graphical user interfaces on the display device based at least in part on the corrected input data.

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 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 system and a control system for selectively preventing movement of a locomotive is disclosed. The control system may comprise a plurality of access control devices for the locomotive, with each access control device including a status indicator, and being configured to activate or deactivate the status indicator based on user input received by any of the plurality of access control devices. Each access control device may also be configured to transmit status data indicative of a status of the locomotive to a locomotive controller, with the status either being a blue flag status or a ready status, wherein at least one of the access control devices is a mobile device not mounted to the locomotive.