• Annual MOW survey: Some freight roads cite pandemic impacts

9/15/2015

Lat-Lon: Locomotive Monitoring Unit

Lat-Lon, a BSM Company, offers a Locomotive Monitoring Unit (LMU) to provide a steady stream of location, speed and maintenance data viewable from any Web-enabled computer or mobile device. Reporting message intervals can be based on event changes, or time intervals, as easily established or modified on Web-based software, Lat-Lon officials said.

The LMU combined with the Lat-Lon Start/Stop Controller is a full automatic engine start/stop system with over-the-air programmable capability for rapid adjustments based on coolant temperature, engine activity, voltage, fuel and digital inputs.

With four analog and 12 digital inputs, the LMU can be customized to monitor brake pressure, traction motor current, throttle position, man-down and additional sensors. An optional digital wiring harness with a locomotive standard terminal strip makes installation efficient, often taking less than three hours, Lat-Lon officials said.

This comprehensive visibility to operations and fuel usage improves safety, in addition to determining maintenance needs and optimal asset usage with an at-a-glance LMU dashboard, they said. The LMU is visible on-screen after entering a yard within the Lat-Lon Connected Rail Yard. As part of the comprehensive system, the LMU appears on-screen in the yard along with all other moving assets, from crew members to rail cars monitored with Lat-Lon devices. 

A second screen in the system displays foul points, switches and other stationary items to offer relative location and a snapshot of yard movements. Monitoring locomotives’ critical systems helps to keep them in good condition and reduce maintenance costs, Lat-Lon officials said.

GPS and engine-voltage sensors are standard. Other sensor options are customizable to monitor automatic engine start/stop, traction motor current, fuel, impact, temperature, throttle position, and  oil level.