Railway Track & Structures - November 2007 - (Page 28)

solar-, AC-, or DC-powered and can accommodate applications requiring manual or electrical yard switch machines. GE recently introduced an additional version of the Hydra-Switch with the control electronics mounted on the signal mast rather than in the low profile trackside unit. This option allows the railroad access to the electronics without fouling the tracks. In addition, GE offers a range of indicators and targets to show switch position. Wireless hand-held, wayside and PC-based control systems designed to take full advantage of the Hydra-Switch’s capabilities are also options. “The biggest change driver we see is application of technology selectively to improve operations, safety, and efficiency,” said James Kiss, product manager-yard products at GE. “We are working with customers on projects that allow the railroad to automate a portion of a yard, with plans to incrementally automate additional sections of the yard at a later date. Since the Hydra-Switch machine, control panels, and office systems are designed with this approach in mind, we are able to meet the incremental growth goals with little to no disruption of yard operations and no loss of current investment.” machine for use in railroad yard, siding and industrial switching areas. Features of the switch machine include a 12- or 24-volt-powered unit, in addition to a standard 24-volt, reduced throw time, reduced number of strokes for the hand throw, optional inner lockable door to isolate signal department equipment and AASHTO-20 load rating obtained for installation in asphalt- or concretefinished grade. RailComm RailComm, Inc., has developed the Universal Switch Controller (USC), which is an electronic remote control product designed to provide a remote control interface to any power switch machine on the market. Another new product, which came about because of railroad demand, is the server-based control system, Domain Operations Controller® (DOC®), introduced in the form of a new delivery model called Software as a Service (SaaS). The SaaS delivery model provides main line and yard train control applications through any PC workstation with an Internet connection. Besides the development of new products, the company is also focused on safety. One issue it has noticed is the application of yard switch machines on main line, dark territory locations. “Whereas RailComm believes there is a safe system architecture to provide this main line functionality, it will not supply a system that is based on a non-locking yard machine. There have been some railroads that have purchased and installed remotecontrolled, power-spring switches for main line use, but we believe it is just a matter of time before railroads require a safer way to accomplish main line power switch remote control,” said Joe Denny, president of RailComm. RailComm has also noticed the utilization of either proximity detection loops or wheel counters in OS train detection devices. “RailComm integrates best-in-class OS equipment in its remote control systems, and, therefore, offers unbiased assistance to the railroad to select the proper device based on its operating requirements,” said Denny. designs that provide reliable operation in freight and transit applications. In Safetran’s experience, safety and ease of use are always the key factors when choosing a switch machine; once these concerns are addressed, such factors as the cost of maintenance parts inventories and multiple switch layouts often tilt the purchase decision toward installing the type of equipment most common in a given region. Over the past two years, the most significant trend seen by Safetran in the switch machine market has not involved the switch machine itself, but, rather, the monitoring of switch position in nonsignaled territory. To meet this new requirement, Safetran developed the VSLIC system, which provides vital switch position monitoring in non-signal territory and, when combined with a powered switch machine, provides vital remote control of the switch. VSLIC communicates from the switch location to a dispatcher office or an onboard computer via a wide variety of telecommunication options. Union Switch & Signal Union Switch & Signal manufactures the M-style line of switch machines, which have dual-control features, including a hand-throw lever to permit operation by on-site trainmen or maintainers, as well as by remote-controlled power. The new M-style switch machine electronic Circuit Controller (ECC) can be used as a “drop-in” replacement for the mechanical circuit controller in US&S Mstyle switch machines. US&S also has a line of hand-operated switch machines, which come in left- and right-hand layouts and convert to either orientation in the field. “Our customers are looking for the highest reliability, along with the lowest life-cycle costs,” said George Rudge, director of marketing for components at US&S. “US&S is developing new products that will focus on predictive maintenance as opposed to reactive maintenance. This will reduce costly train delays.” One new product is the Dark Territory Switch Solution (DTSS), which enables the user to notify the train crew of any switch not properly positioned for movement at or before safe braking distance. According to US&S, another benefit is improved efficiency of movements into sidings by providing remote control of the main line switch machine from the locomotive. www.rtands.com National Trackwork National Trackwork, Inc., released a new switch stand, 1003ARS-9, a runthrough automatic switch stand with a six-foot-high target column. According to the company, the high column gives better visibility due to distance or obstruction and the target is available in 12inch round or 6-inch x12-inch rectangular in many color schemes. Another safety development at National Trackwork is “Safe View” directional lights for switch stands. This selfcontained solar light with red and green LED lights turns with the target and gives a redundant visual check that points are closed in addition to the banner, which may be obscured or damaged. The “Safe View” lights can be retrofitted to any National Trackwork switch stand or ordered new installed. According to the company, this unit is easily installed on the target mast in a couple minutes, lasts for thousands of hours, requires zero maintenance and is solar powered, as well as cost effective. Process Switch Process Switch Company, LLC, manufactures the Process Rail Switch, a compact electric-over-hydraulic switch 28 Railway Track & Structures Safetran Safetran continues to manufacture the SML-20 main line machine and the SYM10 trailable yard machine. According to the company, both products are proven November 2007 http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - November 2007 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Seattle Retrofits Downtown Transit Tunnel Switch Stand, Switch Machines Planning M/W with Modern, High-Tech Tools Products & Literature People Calendar Advertisers Index Sales Representatives Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - November 2007

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