Abstract: A communications system for use in transmitting data in a railroad system is provided. The communications system includes a track circuit having a plurality of rails configured to transmit an electrical signal thereon, a first processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit via a first locomotive on said track circuit, and a trackside communications station operable to output cab signaling data, wherein the trackside communications station includes a second processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit. The first processor is programmed to compare a received data signal to a pre-stored database, and generate a response based on the comparison. The second processor is programmed to generate a corrected signal using the generated response.

Abstract: A communications system for use in transmitting data in a railroad system is provided. The communications system includes a track circuit having a plurality of rails configured to transmit an electrical signal thereon, a first processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit via a first locomotive on said track circuit, and a trackside communications station operable to output cab signaling data, wherein the trackside communications station includes a second processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit. The first processor is programmed to compare a received data signal to a pre-stored database, and generate a response based on the comparison. The second processor is programmed to generate a corrected signal using the generated response.

Abstract: A system for remote control of an electrically operated railroad wayside equipment having a power supply for powering the wayside equipment. a central controller provides central control signals. A transmitter associated with the controller receives the control signals and transmits communications signals corresponding to the control signals. A remote equipment controller controls operation of the wayside equipment in response thereto.

Abstract: A system (130) for monitoring rail line wayside equipment (132). The system includes circuitry (147) for generating information regarding an operating status of the wayside equipment. The information is communicated to a plurality of user locations, such as via a first communications link (164) that transmits the information to a passing locomotive (145) and a second communications link (166) that transmits the information to locations remote from the wayside equipment. The second communications link may utilize an existing locomotive diagnostic communications pathway to a data center, from where information is uploaded to the Internet (150).

Abstract: A system (40) and method for remotely monitoring the operating status of railroad grade crossing warning equipment. A sensor (46) generates a signal (48) responsive to the operation of a grade crossing annunciator (42). In one embodiment, the annunciator may be a bell or speaker horn (92) and the sensor may be an accelerometer (99) mechanically coupled to the bell. A wayside controller (52) uses the signal as input for developing information (70) indicative of the operating status of the annunciator. A communications link (74) transmits the information to a location remote from the grade crossing. A system controller (78) located at the remote location may diagnose the information to direct a maintenance center (82) and/or operations center (86) in response to an indication of degraded performance of the annunciator. The communications link may include the Internet and may be used for two-way communication between the remote location and the grade crossing location (22).

Abstract: A system (40) and method for remotely monitoring the operating status of railroad grade crossing warning equipment. A sensor (46) generates a signal (48) responsive to the operation of a grade crossing annunciator (42). In one embodiment, the annunciator may be a bell or speaker horn (92) and the sensor may be an accelerometer (99) mechanically coupled to the bell. A wayside controller (52) uses the signal as input for developing information (70) indicative of the operating status of the annunciator. A communications link (74) transmits the information to a location remote from the grade crossing. A system controller (78) located at the remote location may diagnose the information to direct a maintenance center (82) and/or operations center (86) in response to an indication of degraded performance of the annunciator. The communications link may include the Internet and may be used for two-way communication between the remote location and the grade crossing location (22).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for interfacing railway controllers with light units, such as LED light unit arrays, to shunt and/or disable test signals not traditionally intended to test non-incandescent light unit arrays.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing coded cab current information in a high level noise environment, caused by the magnetic fields of AC traction motors employed in the locomotive, utilizes pickup coils each having an upright axis and an axially extending, ferrite core. The coils are employed in pairs on a common magnetic structure located over an underlying rail, the coils being spaced apart horizontally and transversely of the rail. Magnetic flux resulting from the cab current is directed in opposite axial directions through the coils, whereas magnetic flux produced by the AC traction motors is directed through the coils in the same axial directions. This results in the addition of the voltages induced in the coils by the cab current, and voltage subtraction in response to the interfering magnetic field produced by the AC motors.