Patent Publication Number: US-2023150558-A1

Title: Derail Warning Light System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/554,776, filed Aug. 29, 2019, entitled “Derail Warning Light System,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/727,366, filed Sep. 5, 2018, entitled “Derail Warning Light System,” each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and made a part hereof. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to railways and, more particularly, to an indicator or warning light for derail or switch on a railway. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, there is no portable indicator or LED indicator that can be turned on or turned off automatically based on the orientation of the derail, switch or metal flag. Currently, locomotive operators have a hard time seeing the orientation of the derail or switch point and in many cases hit the derail or switch point and derail. In many cases, nothing is placed as a more visual warning. In some cases, lights and flags are placed in those location, but the lights have to be constantly monitored and charged and the flags are hard to see and become ineffective. There is a need for a portable indicator that can be automatically turned on and turned off based on the orientation of the derail, switch, or metal flag. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate to a derail warning system that may include a solar-powered LED indicator for derail or switch. The derail warning system may also include an orientation sensor that automatically turns on depending on the orientation of the derail (up or down), derail metal flag, or switch indicator flag. The derail warning system may bring more visibility with a 360-degree LED that is solar powered and may detect orientation and turn on based on the position of the derail, switch, or flag. The derail warning system may use a unique acceleration sensor or g-sensor that can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off and be fully charged to operate day or night. The derail warning system may also include a data-logging microprocessor to determine a time stamp of position and location. 
     According to an embodiment, a derail warning system for use on a rail includes a derail device and a derail warning light. The derail device may include includes a mounting section that mounts to the rail and a rotatable base plate adjacent to the mounting section. The derail warning light may include a plurality of LEDs configured to turn ON when the derail device is in a DERAIL position and turn OFF when the derail device is in a NON-DERAIL position. The derail warning light may include a mounting device that attaches the derail device to the base plate of the derail device. The derail warning light may further include a microprocessor and an orientation sensor. The microprocessor may include data storage capabilities for time-stamping and data-logging the DERAIL positions and NON-DERAIL positions of the derail device. The orientation sensor may sense the DERAIL position and the NON-DERAIL position and automatically turn on the derail warning light based on the position of the derail device. 
     Further, the railway cover board may include the mounting section that includes a pair of rotating brackets and a rotating pin to connect the base plate to the mounting section. The pair of rotating brackets and the rotating pin may allow the base plate and the derail device to rotate from the “NON-DERAIL” position to the “DERAIL” position. The mounting device may be a clamp to mechanically attach and connect the derail warning light to the base plate of the derail device. The clamp may mechanically attach to a handle?? bar that extends along the base plate of the derail device. The mounting device may include a magnet to magnetically attach and connect the derail warning light to the base plate of the derail device. The derail warning light may include a solar power panel that provides power via solar energy to the derail warning light, the plurality of LEDs, the microprocessor, and the orientation sensor. The microprocessor may be programmable to include data logging to record and log any and all data from the derail warning system, and further wherein the data logged is uploaded to be analyzed and reviewed. The plurality of LEDs may be multi-colored arrangements to include blue, red, amber, white, and green. Further, rotating the base plate and the derail warning light to the “NON-DERAIL” position may cause a first side of the mounting device to be facing upward and rotating the base plate and the derail warning light to the “DERAIL” position may cause a second side of the mounting device to be facing upward. The orientation sensor may include a tilt sensor and/or a compass sensor. The plurality of LEDs are located around the periphery of the derail warning light. 
     According to another embodiment, a derail warning system for use on a rail may include a derail device and a derail warning light. The derail device may include a mounting section that mounts to the rail and a rotatable base plate adjacent to the mounting section. The mounting section may include a pair of rotating brackets and a rotating pin to connect the base plate to the mounting section. The derail warning light may include a plurality of LEDs configured to turn ON when the derail device is in a DERAIL position and turn OFF when the derail device is in a NON-DERAIL position. The derail warning light may include a mounting device that attaches the derail device to the base plate of the derail device. The derail warning light may further include a microprocessor and an orientation sensor, wherein the microprocessor includes data storage capabilities for time-stamping and data-logging the DERAIL positions and NON-DERAIL positions of the derail device. The microprocessor may be programmable to include data logging to record and log any and all data from the derail warning system, and wherein the data logged is uploaded to be analyzed and reviewed. The derail warning light may include a solar power panel that provides power via solar energy to the derail warning light, the plurality of LEDs, the microprocessor, and the orientation sensor. Further, the orientation sensor may senses the DERAIL position and the NON-DERAIL position and automatically turn on the derail warning light based on the position of the derail device, wherein rotating the base plate and the derail warning light to the “NON-DERAIL” position may cause a first side of the mounting device to be facing upward and rotating the base plate and the derail warning light to the “DERAIL” position may cause a second side of the mounting device to be facing upward. 
     In yet another embodiment, a derail warning system for use on a rail may include a derail device and a derail warning light. The derail device may include a mounting section that mounts to the rail and a rotatable base plate adjacent to the mounting section. The mounting section may include a pair of rotating brackets and a rotating pin to connect the base plate to the mounting section. The derail warning light may include a plurality of LEDs configured to turn ON when the derail device is in a DERAIL position and turn OFF when the derail device is in a NON-DERAIL position. The derail warning light may include a mounting device that attaches the derail device to the base plate of the derail device. The derail warning light may further include a microprocessor and an orientation sensor with a tilt sensor and a compass sensor. The microprocessor may include data storage capabilities for time-stamping and data-logging the DERAIL positions and NON-DERAIL positions of the derail device. The orientation sensor may sense the DERAIL position and the NON-DERAIL position and automatically turn on the derail warning light based on the position of the derail device, wherein rotating the base plate and the derail warning light to the “NON-DERAIL” position may cause a first side of the mounting device to be facing upward and rotating the base plate and the derail warning light to the “DERAIL” position may cause a second side of the mounting device to be facing upward. 
     These features, along with many others, are discussed in greater detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is side view of a derail warning system on a railway in a derail position with a derail warning light ON in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  1 B  is side view of the derail warning system from  FIG.  1 A  in a non-derail position with the derail warning light OFF in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is top perspective view of the derail warning system from  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the derail warning light illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a front perspective view of the derail warning light illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a derail warning system in a non-derail position in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a side perspective view of the derail warning system from  FIG.  5 A  moving from the non-derail position to the derail position in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 C  is a side perspective view of the derail warning system from  FIG.  5 A  in a derail position in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a front perspective view of the derail warning system from  FIG.  5 A  in a non-derail position in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a front perspective view of the derail warning system from  FIG.  5 A  moving from the non-derail position to the derail position in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6 C  is a front perspective view of the derail warning system from  FIG.  5 A  in a derail position in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are perspective views of the derail warning light from  FIG.  5 A  in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  8    is a flow diagram illustrating the data transmission and reception components in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. 
     In the railroad industry it is often necessary to conduct maintenance or repairs of various sections of rail or tracks. This is relevant in high-rail traffic locations, such as for example in rail yards. In addition, sections of track may simply be shut down due to condition or other factors. It is often desirable to prevent the undesired or unauthorized movement of trains or rail cars across particular sections of track at particular times. When sections of track are shut down or need to be blocked from rail traffic, it is a standard procedure to place and engage one or more derail warning systems or derail devices on the tracks to prevent a train or other rail equipment from traversing those tracks where the derail device is engaged. These derail devices force the errant train or other rail equipment off of the tracks and onto the ground or onto a side rail beside the tracks at the position of the derail device. 
     There are several configurations of derail devices, such as “hinged”, “slide” and “portable.” All derail devices generally comprise a wedge component that is designed to be positioned over the top of one rail along a section of tracks. This wedge is shaped such that should a locomotive or other rail car traverse the derail device, the wedge will lift the wheels riding on the rail with the derail device and direct those wheels across and over the rail to the ground beside the tracks or onto a platform or other surface adjacent the derail device. A sign or warning may be positioned atop the rail in an “Active” or “ON” or “DERAIL” position, or alternately in one or more other positions not atop the rail, in an “Inactive” or “OFF” or “NON-DERAIL” position. That is, when not in use or engaged, the wedge component of the derail device can be folded or collapsed or moved away from the top of the rail in order to leave the rail unobstructed. 
     It is critical that when a derail device is positioned upon a section of tracks with the wedge in the “Active” or “ON” or “DERAIL” position—that is, when the derail device is configured to derail—that rail traffic has adequate notice of such “active” derail in order to prevent unintended or otherwise unnecessary derailings from occurring along that section of the track.  FIGS.  1 A through  4    illustrate a derail warning system  100  that provides adequate notice of the “DERAIL” position.  FIGS.  5 A through  7 B  illustrate a second embodiment of a derail warning system  500  that provides adequate notice of the “DERAIL” position. 
     The derail warning system  100  may include a solar-powered LED indicator for derail or switch. The derail warning system  100  may also include an orientation sensor that automatically turns on depending on the orientation of the derail (up or down), derail metal flag, or switch indicator flag. The derail warning system  100  may bring more visibility with a flashing 360-degree LED that is solar powered and may detect orientation and turn on based on the position of the derail, switch, or flag. The derail warning system  100  may use an acceleration sensor or g-sensor that can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off and be fully charged to operate day or night. The derail warning system  100  may include multi-colored arrangements from blue, red, amber, white, and green. 
     The derail warning system  100  may include one or more of the following features: 360-degree viewable LED indicator, orientation sensor/acceleration sensor or g-sensor to allow for orientation position indication and automatic ON/OFF, portable device that can be mounted on a handle using a clamp, solar-powered, a data-logging microprocessor to determine a time stamp of position and location, a protection cage, and an octagon shape to allow multiple colors in one unit. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B , and  FIG.  2   , the derail warning system  100  includes a derail device  110  and a derail warning light  130 .  FIG.  1 A  illustrates the derail warning system  100  on a railway in a derail position with a derail warning light ON.  FIG.  1 B  illustrates the derail warning system  100  on a railway in a non-derail position with the derail warning light OFF. 
     The derail device  110  may be located on a rail  10  of a railyard. The derail device  110  may include a mounting section  112  that mounts or attaches to the rail  10 . The derail device  110  may also include a base plate  114  adjacent to the mounting section  112 . The derail device  110  may further include a warning arm  116  with a warning sign  118 . The warning arm  116  and the warning sign  118  may move or rotate from the “Active” or “ON” or “DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A  to the “Inactive” or “OFF” or “NON-DERAIL” position in  FIG.  1 B . The derail device  110  may be various other configurations without departing from this invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , a derail warning light  130  may be included with the derail warning system  100 . The derail warning light  130  may be located on the derail device  110 . Specifically, the derail warning light  130  may be located on the base plate  114  of the derail device  110 . Generally, the derail warning light  130  may be configured to turn ON when the derail device  110  is in the “Active” or “ON” or “DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A . The derail warning light  130  may also be configured to turn OFF when the derail device  110  is in the “Inactive” or “OFF” or “NON-DERAIL” position in  FIG.  1 B . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an exploded view of the derail warning light  130  with various components and features. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the derail warning light  130  may include a cover  132 . The cover  132  may be opaque or clear. The cover  132  may be an octagon shape to allow multiple colors for LED lights. Additionally, the cover  132  will provide a 360-degree viewable LED indicator for the derail warning light  130 . Other shapes may be utilized for the cover  132  and the derail warning light  130  without departing from this invention. 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the derail warning light  130  may include a mounting device  134  to mount and connect to the base plate  114  of the derail device  110 . The mounting device  134  may include a clamp  136  to mechanically attach and connect to the base plate  114  of the derail device  110 . The mounting device  134  may also include a magnet  138  to magnetically attach and connect to the base plate  114  of the derail device  110 . 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the derail warning light  130  may include a solar power panel  140 . The solar power panel  140  may provide the full power via solar energy to the derail warning light  130 , such as to the LEDs  142 , the microprocessor  146 , and the orientation sensor  148 . The solar power panel  140  may be various solar panels known to those of skill in the art without departing from this invention. The derail warning light  130  may also be battery powered or partial battery powered without departing from this invention. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the derail warning light  130  may include a base  144  that attaches to the cover  132 . The base  144  and cover  132  may provide a snap-fit connection or other mechanical connection as known and used in the art, such as via fasteners. Within the base  144 , the derail warning light  130  may also include a microprocessor  146 . The microprocessor  146  may include data storage capabilities as well. Generally, the microprocessor will be utilized for time stamping and data-logging the various movements of the derail device  110 . The microprocessor  146  may be programmable to include various data logging features as well and to record and log any and all data from the derail warning system  100 . The data logged may then be uploaded to be analyzed and reviewed as needed and required. 
     Additionally, within the base  144 , the derail warning light  130  may also include an orientation sensor  148 . The orientation sensor  148  may be an accelerometer or g-sensor. The orientation sensor  148  will sense the orientation of the derail device  110  and automatically turn ON or turn OFF based on the position of the derail device  110 . The orientation sensor can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off in order to be fully charged to operate day or night. The base  144  may also include an access door  150  in order to access the microprocessor  146  and/or the orientation sensor  148 . The orientation sensor  148  may include a tilt sensor and/or a compass sensor. 
     Furthermore, within the base  144  and under the cover  132 , the derail warning light  130  may include a plurality of LEDs  142 . The LEDs  142  may be dual-colored LEDs. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the derail warning light  130  may include seven different LEDs. Other numbers of LEDs  142  may be utilized with the derail warning light  130  without departing from this invention, such as, for example, 3 LEDs, 4 LEDs, 5 LEDs, 6 LEDs, or 8 LEDs. Other types of lighting sources may be utilized without departing from this invention. The LEDs  142  may be multi-colored arrangements that include blue, red, amber, white, and green. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates another feature of the derail warning light  130  that might be utilized. The derail warning light may also include a protective cover  132 A in place of the cover  132 . The protective cover  132 A may include multiple bars  133  that extend across the cover  132  and meet in the center of the cover. The bars  133  may provide protection for the cover  132  against breakage and shattering. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 7 B  illustrate a second embodiment of a derail warning system  500 . Specifically,  FIG.  5 A  is a side perspective view of the derail warning system  500  in a non-derail position;  FIG.  5 B  is a side perspective view of the derail warning system  500  moving from the non-derail position to the derail position;  FIG.  5 C  is a side perspective view of the derail warning system  500  in a derail position;  FIG.  6 A  is a front perspective view of the derail warning system  500  in a non-derail position;  FIG.  6 B  is a front perspective view of the derail warning system  500  moving from the non-derail position to the derail position;  FIG.  6 C  is a front perspective view of the derail warning system  500  in a derail position; and  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are perspective views of the derail warning light from  FIG.  5 A  in accordance with an embodiment of the system of the present invention. For embodiment of  FIGS.  5 A- 7 B , the features are referred to using similar reference numerals under the “5xx” series of reference numerals, rather than “lxx” as used in the embodiment of  FIG.  1   . Accordingly, certain features of the derail warning system  500  that were already described above with respect to the derail warning system  100  of  FIG.  1    may be described in lesser detail, or may not be described at all. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A- 6 C , the derail warning system  500  includes a derail device  510  and a derail warning light  530 . The derail device  510  may be located on a rail  10  of a railyard. The derail device  510  may include a mounting section  512  that mounts or attaches to the rail  10 . The derail device  510  may also include a base plate  514  adjacent to the mounting section  512 . The base plate  514  may also include a handle  515 . The handle  515  may be utilized to rotate the base plate  514  between a first position and a second position. The first position may be a “NON-DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 C and  6 C . The second position may be a “DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  6 A . 
     The mounting section  512  may include a pair of rotating brackets  513  and a rotating pin  517 . The pair of rotating brackets  513  and the rotating pin  517  may be utilized to connect the base plate  514  to the mounting section  512 . The pair of rotating brackets  513  and the rotating pin  517  may allow the base plate  514  to rotate from the “NON-DERAIL” position to the “DERAIL” position. The pair of rotating brackets  513  may extend perpendicularly from the mounting section  512 . Additionally, the pair of rotating brackets  513  may be attached of connected to the mounting section  512  with one or more supports or struts.  FIGS.  5 A- 6 C  include arrows showing the rotation of the base plate  514  and derail warning light  530  around the rotating brackets  513  and rotating pin  517 . The base plate  514  may also include a derail bar  519 . The derail bar  519  may extend across the base plate  514  and be utilized to hold and steady the base plate  514  in the “DERAIL” position along the rail  10  (as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 C and  6 C ). 
     In some embodiments, the derail device  510  may further include a warning arm with a warning sign that may move or rotate from the “Active” or “ON” or “DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 C and  6 C  to the “Inactive” or “OFF” or “NON-DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  6 A . The derail device  510  may be various other configurations without departing from this invention. 
     A derail warning light  530  may be included with the derail warning system  500 . The derail warning light  530  may be located on the derail device  510 . Specifically, the derail warning light  530  may be attached to the base plate  514  of the derail device  510 . Generally, the derail warning light  530  may be configured to turn ON when the derail device  110  is in the “Active” or “ON” or “DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 C and  6 C . The derail warning light  530  may also be configured to turn OFF when the derail device  510  is in the “Inactive” or “OFF” or “NON-DERAIL” position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  6 A . 
     Additionally, the derail warning light  530  may include a mounting device  534  to mount and connect to the base plate  514  of the derail device  510 . The mounting device  534  may include a clamp to mechanically attach and connect to the base plate  514  of the derail device  510 . The tightening clamp of the mounting device  534  as illustrated in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  includes three tightening screws, but any mechanical mounting clamp may be utilized without departing from this invention. The mounting device  534  may also include a magnet to magnetically attach and connect to the handle  515  and the base plate  514  of the derail device  510 . 
     The mounting device  534  as connected to the base plate  514  and the derail warning light  530  may allow rotation of the base plate  514  and the derail warning light  530  when the derail device  510  is moved from the “DERAIL” position to the “NON-DERAIL” position. Additionally, the mounting device  534  may include a first side  536  and a second side  538 . This rotation of base plate  514  and the derail warning light  530  causes the first side  536  of the mounting device  534  to be facing upward when the derail device  510  is in the “NON-DERAIL” position and the second side  538  of the mounting device  534  to be facing upward when the derail device  510  is in the “DERAIL” position. The first side  536  may be the “NON-DERAIL” position. When the base plate  514  and the derail warning light  530  is rotated to the “DERAIL” position, the second side  538  may be the “DERAIL” position. 
     Additionally, as specifically illustrated in  FIG.  7 A , the derail warning light  530  may include a solar power panel  540 . The solar power panel  540  may provide the full power via solar energy to the derail warning light  530 , such as to the LEDs  542 , the microprocessor  546 , and the orientation sensor  548 . The solar power panel  540  may be various solar panels known to those of skill in the art without departing from this invention. The derail warning light  530  may also be battery powered or partial battery powered without departing from this invention. 
     The derail warning light  530  may also include a microprocessor  546 . The microprocessor  546  may include data storage capabilities as well. Generally, the microprocessor will be utilized for time stamping and data-logging the various movements of the derail device  510 . The microprocessor  546  may be programmable to include various data logging features as well and to record and log any and all data from the derail warning system  500 . The data logged may then be uploaded to be analyzed and reviewed as needed and required. 
     Additionally, the derail warning light  530  may also include an orientation sensor  548 . The orientation sensor  548  may be an accelerometer or g-sensor. The orientation sensor  548  will sense the orientation of the derail device  510  and automatically turn ON the derail warning light  530  (for the DERAIL position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 C and  6 C ) or turn OFF the derail warning light  530  (for the NON-DERAIL position as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  6 A ) based on the position of the derail device  510 . The orientation sensor  548  can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off in order to be fully charged to operate day or night. The derail warning light  530  may also include an access door in order to access the microprocessor  146  and/or the orientation sensor  148  or any other electronics for maintenance. Additionally, the orientation sensor  548  may include a tilt sensor and/or a compass sensor. The tilt sensor may be a MEMS digital output motion sensor with a ultra-low-power high-performance 3-axis nano-accelerometer. The tilt sensor may be an embedded state machine that can be programed to implement autonomous applications and be dynamically selectable and capable of measuring accelerations with output data rates from 3.125 Hz to 1.6 Hz. The compass sensor may be a digital output magnetic sensor with ultra-low-power, high performance 3-axis magnetometer. 
     Furthermore, the derail warning light  530  may include a plurality of LEDs  542 . The plurality of LEDs  542  may be located around the outer periphery of the derail warning light  530 . The LEDs  542  may be dual-colored LEDs. The derail warning light  530  may include several different LEDs. Other types of lighting sources may be utilized without departing from this invention. The LEDs  542  may be multi-colored arrangements that include blue, red, amber, white, and green. 
     Additionally, the derail warning system  500  may include a solar-powered LED indicator for derail or switch. The derail warning system  500  may also include an orientation sensor that automatically turns on depending on the orientation of the derail (up or down), derail metal flag, or switch indicator flag. The derail warning system  500  may bring more visibility with a flashing 360-degree LED that is solar powered and may detect orientation and turn on based on the position of the derail, switch, or flag. The derail warning system  500  may use a unique acceleration sensor or g-sensor that can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off and be fully charged to operate day or night. The derail warning system  500  may include multi-colored arrangements from blue, red, amber, white, and green. 
     The derail warning system  500  may include one or more of the following features: 360-degree viewable LED indicator, orientation sensor/acceleration sensor or g-sensor to allow for orientation position indication and automatic ON/OFF, portable device that can be mounted on a handle using a clamp, solar-powered, a data-logging microprocessor to determine a time stamp of position and location, and various shapes to allow multiple colors in one unit. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an embodiment for transmitting and receiving the data collected by the microprocessor  146 ,  546  from the derail warning system  100 ,  500  and derail warning light  130 ,  530  described above. It should be noted that the term “remote” as used herein means any location that is not on-board a rail car. Such a location may be any location of the derail warning system  100 ,  500 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the data from the derail warning system  100 ,  500  and derail warning light  130 ,  530  may be transmitted to a geo-stationary communications satellite  152  and/or a cellular system  154  to one or more remote receiving station(s)  156 . The receiving station  156  transmits the data via the Internet  158  to a web based portal  160  which is accessible by a user via a workstation  162 . Data collected and transmitted can be from any derail warning system  100 ,  500 . Location data may be generated by Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology  164 . As was described above, the derail warning system  100 ,  500  and derail warning light  130 ,  530  may feature a number of additional data collection outputs. Outputs from all of the data from the derail warning system  100 ,  500  and derail warning light  130 ,  530  may be combined together to electronically represent the status or condition. 
     In an embodiment of the system, wireless sensors located at various locations throughout a rail yard may be set up in a wireless network with each sensor (node) having its own power source and transceiver. The nodes can communicate with other nodes and determine the best path of communication and minimize power requirements to reach the safest operation throughout the rail yard. 
     The derail warning system  100 ,  500  and derail warning light  130 ,  530  may also include a receiver/CPU and a GPS transponder which interacts with the U.S. Federal location satellites. This feature gives location, altitude, speed and other features offered by conventional GPS capabilities. The GPS and sensor data is then transmitted via a modem in the specified form of transmission along with the remaining railcar anti-collision data. Once the data is received by the end user, the data can be further combined for additional value. A preferred method to add value to data generated by the system is by associating the location data (GPS) with information stored in the on-board memory of microprocessor in the derail warning system  100 ,  500  and derail warning light  130 ,  530 . 
     Once data is received by the end user (such as receiving station  156  or portal  160  in  FIG.  8   ), it is loaded into a website or computer based software program capable of sorting, running calculations, manipulating and displaying data in formats that benefit the end user. The software may include a website which can display and run calculations to provide the needed information for the end user. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by this description.