Patent ID: 7467032
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
1. A communications system for a train comprising: a head of train device located near a front of a train; an end of train (EOT) unit mounted on a rear of a train, the EOT unit including a transducer connectable for fluid communication with an air brake pipe of the train, the EOT unit further including an end-of-train marker light, the EOT unit further including a GPS receiver, the EOT unit being configured for wireless communication with the head of train device; an EOT unit monitoring station located off the train, the EOT unit monitoring station being configured for wireless communication with the end of train device; and a central station located off the train and connected to the EOT unit monitoring station via a land based communication system; wherein the EOT unit is configured to transmit wirelessly periodic messages to the head of train device, the periodic messages including a brake pipe pressure measured by the transducer; wherein the EOT unit is further configured to transmit wirelessly a location message including a location of the EOT unit to the EOT unit monitoring station, the location being based on information from the GPS receiver; and wherein the EOT unit monitoring station is configured to transmit the location of the EOT unit to the central station.