Patent ID: 7096096

Claim:
An end of train unit location system comprising: a plurality of end of train units, each of the end of train units including an end-of-train marker light; a processor; a transmitter connected to the processor; and a positioning system connected to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of detecting a condition indicating that the end of train unit is to go out of service; obtaining location information from the positioning system; and transmitting a message including the location information and an indicator that the end of train unit is to go out of service upon occurrence of the condition; and an end of train unit monitoring station located off of the train, the end of train monitoring station including a wireless receiver for receiving wireless messages from end of train units, the end of train monitoring station being configured to alert a user as to the location of an end of train unit when a message including location information and an indicator that one of the plurality of end of train units is to go out of service is received, thereby facilitating location of the end of train unit.