The Application of Microprocessor Networks to Braking of Freight Trains

Starting as early as 1992, representatives from Burlington Northern’s (BN’s) Corporate Applied Technology group and Duluth and Iron Range Company’s (DIRCO’s) staff began discussions on the need for advanced braking systems for freight train applications. It was determined that an overlay system of electronic braking to the conventional freight train air brake system would be most appropriate for the near term. During the period 1992 - 1994 preliminary economic, cost/benefit analyses were performed by BN/DIRCO and Electric-Pneumatic (E-P) brake designs began to take shape. In June 1994 BN and DIRCO executed a joint development agreement for E-P Brake equipment to be applied in BN’s unit coal train revenue service. DIRCO’s E-P related assets and technology were subsequently acquired, in May 1995, by New York Air Brake Company (NYAB) and the joint development effort continued with BN under their banner. The NYAB E-P brake version was recently (July, 1995) tested on BN’s 65-car unit coal train at Beardstown, IL. Additional development is ongoing to meet BN’s requirements. BN/NYAB are also committed to deploy a 115-car E-P equipped unit coal train in revenue service in early 1996. This trainset is expected to operate between Powder River Basin, WY and utility companies in Eastern Minnesota. This revenue service application will allow for full evaluation of locomotive engineers’ handling, reductions in train slack action, and enhanced train control.