A train health advisory system for freight trains

On-board train performance monitoring systems are potentially capable of delivering significant benefits to heavy haul railways in the form of increased capacity, improved safety and reduced maintenance costs. The adoption of electronically controlled pneumatics (ECP) brakes by heavy haul railways provides new opportunities to add low cost on-board train performance monitoring systems using ECP communication and power lines. The paper presents the concept and the approach being used for the development of the Train Health Advisory System for freight trains. The system reports on wheel unloading, L/V risk, track degradation rates, ride quality, hunting, wheel flats and axle derailment.