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7/6/2017

Progress Rail and New York Air Brake: A comprehensive suite of fuel-saving products

When it comes to energy management solutions that can work seamlessly together, Progress Rail and New York Air Brake (NYAB) offer a comprehensive suite of fuel-saving products for locomotives that can provide a high rate of return on investment.

Available for all locomotive makes and models, NYAB’s LEADER® Standard Assist train-handling and energy management system taps into a train’s current state, including geography, operating constraints and goals. the system helps train operators to run in the most energy and fuel-efficient manner over a given route. LEADER adjusts to changes in train behavior, and offers:
• higher overall fuel savings of up to 7 percent;
• reduction in emission by 10 percent;
• improved train handling to reduce the risk of derailments and separations; and
• a highly integrated positive train control solution.

Through its efforts with NYAB, Progress Rail has taken customer fuel savings one step further by integrating LEADER AutoControl®, a software solution that puts LEADER in control of throttle and dynamic braking, directly interfacing with the EMD® EM2000 locomotive control system. This semi-autonomous solution ensures safe and optimal train handling by using the same precise system that not only sets the throttle for improved fuel efficiency, but also controls the distributed power system and dynamic braking. This results in an additional 1 to 3 percent fuel efficiency, improved time management and increased in-train force control.

On top of the LEADER AutoControl® enhancements, Progress Rail developed SmartConsistT™ to provide an additional 1 to 3 percent fuel savings, for total reductions of 12 percent. SmartConsist sets each locomotive within the consist to its individual, prime throttle position, working in concert to improve overall fuel economy and reduce emissions, while also achieving the required power and tractive effort.

Available for in-service EMD locomotives, or as an option on all new EMD locomotives, SmartConsist operates as a fully integrated platform within EMD’s EM2000TM locomotive control system.

In addition to Progress Rail’s Energy Management product suite, the company’s Automatic Engine Start/Stop solution — or AESSTM — for EM2000 controlled locomotives monitors critical operating parameters during locomotive idle operation, safely and effectively shutting down the engine once all factors are satisfied. EMD’s AESSTM provides superior fuel and lube oil savings, reducing emissions and wayside noise, while ensuring the locomotive remains ready for use, the company says.

It complies with the latest AAR S-5502 standard and allows individual customization to meet railroad operating and safety requirements. EMD AESSTM reduces unnecessary idle time by more than 50 percent and improves locomotive fuel efficiency up to 29 gallons per day for switcher use and 18 gallons per day for line-haul operation.

To learn how freight railroads are reducing fuel consumption, and the products and services they're using to work toward that objective, read this article in the July issue.