Today’s train operations, both freight and passenger, have complex operating processes of which many still require human skills and intervention.
Whether it is the locomotive conductor, train dispatcher or other support workforce, the daily rail operations are done by people.
Over the years, the improved performance of railway operations has increased the demand for more railway transportation services. This increase demand is putting a challenge on today’s rail operations, hence more advanced control and safety systems are being implemented to handle the daily operations.
Despite the many automated systems already in place, there are other control systems available to make railway operations more reliable, maintainable and safe.
On modern trains, multiple railway systems are deployed to ensure safe railway operation. Each system has a dedicated function to fulfil during the operations of the train (e.g., signalling, propulsion, HVAC, lights, etc.).
Today’s technology allows on-board electronic systems to support and maintain the railway operations in a proactive way, maintenance is done in a more predictive manner instead of a corrective one.
Locomotive audio, video and data recorders can help us understand why an accident happened.
Rail News - CN orders 60 more GE locomotives. For Railroad Career Professionals
CN orders 60 more GE locomotives
CN will purchase another 60 GE Transportation locomotives, expanding the Class I's 200-unit order placed in December 2017, the Class I and GE announced today.
CN to appeal Canadian agency's ruling on freight-rail service
CN will appeal a Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) ruling issued yesterday that determined the Class I had breached its freight-rail service obligations last year in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The CTA found that CN violated its service obligations by announcing its intention to impose embargoes on wood pulp shipments in September 2018, several months before rail congestion and other challenges emerged in the Vancouver area. The Class I imposed those embargoes in December 2018, "rather than making every reasonable effort to deal with those challenges before unilaterally restricting the transportation of the shippers' traffic," according to a CTA press release.
The CTA began its investigation in January based on information from shipper associations and other parties. Two other railroads that were investigated — Canadian Pacific and BNSF Railway Co. — did not breach their service obligations, CTA officials said.
Federal government and province commit more than $3B for Broadway subway project and Surrey LRT
CN to increase rail capacity at Port of Vancouver's Burrard Inlet corridor
CN, the Canadian government and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority have signed an agreement calling for upgrades to the Burrard Inlet rail corridor that serves the south shore port area in Vancouver.
The work is necessary to increase capacity on a critical segment of trade infrastructure in the Vancouver area, according to a press release. The project calls for double tracking a 2.5-mile section of rail that links expanding import and export terminals on the Burrard Inlet's south shore to the national rail network.
By building a second track, CN will increase rail capacity, which will improve rail-traffic flow in and out of the port, as well as improve supply chain efficiency, CN officials said.
Rail News - Canada issues funds for Thunder Bay port project. For Railroad Career Professionals
Siemens Alstom merger blocked by European Commission
‘Siemens and Alstom are both champions in the rail industry’, explained Commissioner in charge of competition policy Margrethe Vestager when she made the announcement on February 6. ‘Without sufficient remedies, this merger would have resulted in higher prices for the signalling systems that keep passengers safe and for the next generations of very high speed trains. The Commission prohibited the merger because the companies were not willing to address our serious competition concerns.’