Progressive Railroading Reader's Choice Awards 2021


It's time to vote! We want your input on how these products rank as innovative, standing out and meeting rail-industry needs.

Rank your top 3 below from 1 to 3. 1 being the best, 2 your second best pick and 3 your third best pick.

Winners will be announced in Progressive Railroading magazine, the eNewsletter and on the website.

  RSVP Rail Shipment Management Software


RSVP Rail Shipment Management Software
ICL Systems - For rail shippers who want end to end visibility of their shipments, RSVP acts as a central data hub, turning information from railroads into actionable insights that save our customers time and money managing their rail network. Features include: real-time demurrage costing, dynamic ETAs, automated alerts, delay location mapping, and executive-ready KPI reports.

  Piper TrackSight – LiDAR Train-centric Positioning System


Piper TrackSight – LiDAR Train-centric Positioning System
Piper Networks Inc. - TrackSight employs Piper's patent-pending positional imaging to determine the location of trains. It's the next evolutionary step that moves operations from the track bed to the train & is a fully deterministic solution that compares real-time imaging to an onboard database. It’s also safety certifiable & compatible with Piper’s UWB systems for redundant CBTC positioning.

  The Brake Stick


The Brake Stick
Precision Cut - This product is a new lightweight Brake Stick weighing 2.2 lbs which replaces the traditional heavy metal brake sticks that weigh between 8 and 15 lbs. New lightweight technology creates a single handle tool to push or pull brake wheels, push brake release levers, turn angle cocks, adjust draw bars and arm EOTs. Can be used through an entire work day without fatigue.

  Stakkabox Ultima Connect


Stakkabox Ultima Connect
Oldcastle - STAKKAbox ULTIMA Connect is a modular and scalable precast vault alternative that significantly reduces the time and costs of transit construction. Ideal for access to communication, signal, and other cables and equipment, its composite components and covers are lightweight, strong, and durable. STAKKAbox can be easily modified to meet any demanding application.

  CoreShield Data Capture Unit (DCU)


CoreShield Data Capture Unit (DCU)
Siemens Mobility - This data diode DCU provides security via hardware separation. This means no opportunity for virtual back doors being left open, and no misconfiguration or software vulnerability can make it insecure. This hardware security cannot be hacked from the outside and the tapped data is always guaranteed with encryption, forward error correction and secure servers.

  6.48 Automatic Lube Oil Filter


6.48 Automatic Lube Oil Filter
Boll Filter - Boll Filter’s 6.48 is a self-cleaning lube oil filter for diesel locomotives. This filter is the primary filter for the engine’s lube oil system. Dirty oil enters at the inlet and is routed through the filter elements where contaminants are caught. System oil pressure drives the back-flushing mechanism which continuously cleans the elements.

  Hydrogen powered rail milling machine MG11


Hydrogen powered rail milling machine MG11
LINSINGER - The first of its kind rail milling train with a hydrogen propulsion system is a major milestone for sustainable rail maintenance. Combining a nearly spark and dust free technology with a zero emission engine is a game changer in the railway industry especially in urban areas. The small green powerpack is specially designed to maintain Railway-Metro and Transit Networks.

  Diesel Dehydrator


Diesel Dehydrator
Power Drives, Inc. - The patented Diesel Dehydrator filters particulate down to 5 micron and removes 99.5% of water from fuel. Created in response to water contamination issues in diesel fuel, it was designed as the main locomotive fuel filtration system. It features an extended-life filter that increases fuel injector lifespan, increases fuel performance and prevents algae bloom.

  Bridgestrike Monitoring


Bridgestrike Monitoring
L.B. Foster Company - Bridgestrike Monitoring is a remote visual inspection system that records key elements of a bridge by HD CCTV cameras, permitting views of both the leading edges and under-bridge for scoring and rivet damage, and an overview of the incident. Once reported, inspectors can call up video on-demand to clear the bridge without traveling to the site, saving time and money.

  Anti-Trespass Panel


Anti-Trespass Panel
L.B. Foster Company - Anti-Trespass Panels are a safety solution for rail crossings, platforms, and yard entrances. Quick and simple to install, safety is enhanced by effectively deterring pedestrian trespass. Made from 100% environmentally friendly recycled rubber they come with a 15-year warranty. A recent FRA study cited their use resulted in a 38% trespass decline on railroad right-of-ways.

  Shift5 for Rail


Shift5 for Rail
Shift5, Inc. - Using hardware & software integration, Shift5 for Rail captures and analyzes data from locomotive subsystems to decrease maintenance costs, unlock operational efficiencies, and protect Serial Data Bus systems vulnerable to cyberattacks. Our solution is designed for both passenger and freight railroads and includes executive dashboards for real-time fleet health status.

  B-RAD Select Torque Extension Tool


B-RAD Select Torque Extension Tool
Curve Communications - This extension tool allows operators to stand up while they tighten railway bolts, offering an ergonomic design that prevents back strain and discomfort from bending to reach hard to get bolts. The extension tool easily attaches to the battery-operated B-RAD Select torque wrench and can be customized.

  Gamma88


Gamma88
Envirosave Enterprises LLC - Gamma88 is an ester-based fuel and oil additive for all engines. It has been extensively tested and consistently shows a fuel economy improvement of 7% and a significant reduction in CO2 and particulate emissions. Gamma88 also eliminates carbon buildup in engines that can cause stack or ROW files. It also extends the life of engine components, providing additional savings.

  Grade Crossing Operation Reporting System (GCORS)


Grade Crossing Operation Reporting System (GCORS)
TekTracking - Grade Crossing Operation Reporting System (GCORS) detects and notifies the railroad - via the Emergency Notification System - of four critical failure modes undetected by crossing event recorders. GCORS contains multiple sensors positioned to capture, analyze, and report specific grade crossing failure modes observed by motorists, including trapped vehicle detection.

  Transport CC


Transport CC
Cattron - A remote control system with cruise control functionality enabling operators to set the locomotive speed while the system maintains the commanded speed. Limited operator training and locomotive knowledge required to operate the system. Features train brake, headlight and sand control, tilt and vigilance protection and a heated cabinet. Designed for plant rail operations.

  Real-Time Autonomous Track Geometry and Profile Measurement System


Real-Time Autonomous Track Geometry and Profile Measurement System
AVANTE International Technology, Inc. - A 2D time-of-flight laser imaging method has been developed and patented to directly measure the track gage and full rail head profile in real-time. This geometric data, distortion, wear, deformation, corrosion and corrugation are measured when train is traveling at full speed. Other geo-tagged track geometric data are measured with sensors along with video images.

  Snake Rack Cable Tray System


Snake Rack Cable Tray System
Snake Tray - Stainless steel, all-in-one cable management racking system manages the entire cable plan in tunnels/on platforms. Designed to fit the dynamic envelope of the tunnel by quickly mounting to the existing infrastructure to substantially decrease track downtime during the installation process. A recent project was completed 3 months early and $100 MM under budget. Made in USA.

  ROHRflex Conduit & Fitting


ROHRflex Conduit & Fitting
AerosUSA - Looking for improved safety and reliability? PVC jacketed steel conduits used in the rail industry are being outpaced by high-performance Polyamide conduits. Polyamide is flexible, extremely impact resistant, meets IP69K ingress protection, UV resistant and will not corrode. When used with integrated fittings, wiring installation times can be reduced by 75%.

Thanks for voting!