Patent ID: 6340211
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
A method of changing between two operator stations located in a cab of a locomotive for controlling brakes of such locomotive and a train of railway cars connected to such locomotive, said stations each having brake valve handles and an associated selector switch, with each of said switches being operatively connected to a brake control computer, the method comprising:stopping the train if the train is in motion determining that said brakes are set; selecting one of the operator stations as an active station for braking the train while the other station is chosen to be inactive, directing signals from the selector switches at the operator stations to the computer, said signals indicating which one of the two stations is active and inactive, and providing the computer with software that accepts a valid transition to the station selected by an operator as the active station, the step of selecting the active station including manually operating a switching device operatively connected between the computer and said selector switches said manual operation informing the computer of the stations selected respectively for active and inactive status, with said switching device being connected for radio communication between the computer and said selector switches.