Patent ID: 8069579

Claim:
A train rail alignment and distance tool comprising: an elongated body having first and second opposite ends with a fixed measuring point located proximate to the first end and a moveable measuring point proximate to the second end; a battery power source; a button-based input device; a microcontroller; a non-volatile memory device; a digital display output device; an inclinometer for measuring the angle of inclination of the body, wherein the angle of inclination is displayable on the digital display; a distance sensing arrangement for measuring the distance between the fixed and moveable measuring points such that in normal use the fixed measuring point is placed against a first rail section and the moveable measuring point is contacted with a second rail section and one or more distance measurements are taken by the distance sensing arrangement and the resulting distance measurement outputted on the digital display output device; and a means for communicating with an external device, wherein the battery power source is operatively connected to the input device, microcontroller, memory device, output device, inclinometer and the distance sensing arrangement.