NYAB NEWS ARCHIVE
Press Releases – NYAB
Press Releasses – Knorr-Bremse
New York Air Brake in the News
CCB-26
EP-60
LEADER
Computerized Single Car Test Device
TDS-5000
PRESS RELEASES – NYAB
2007
May 3, 2007
NYAB secures EP-60 air brake system order from Australia’s Fortescue Metals
Watertown, NY, USA— New York Air Brake (NYAB) today announced contracts to provide electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) air brakes to the Australian mining company Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. Under the contracts, NYAB will supply its EP-60 technology for 400 married pairs of iron ore cars and 17 new GE locomotives. >>>more
2006
October 25, 2006
FRA head Boardman convenes ECP group at NYAB
Boardman: “The time is right” for ECP brakes
Watertown, NY— The head of the American Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Joseph H. Boardman, and New York Air Brake (NYAB) President J. Paul Morgan, welcomed a group of twenty-seven North American railroad leaders to NYAB headquarters in Watertown, NY, October 12 for a two-day meeting about Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) railroad freight brakes. >>>more
2005
December 05, 2005
NORFOLK SOUTHERN AND NEW YORK AIR BRAKE AGREE TO DEPLOY NEW TRAIN TECHNOLOGY
NORFOLK, VA— Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and New York Air Brake Corporation today announced an agreement to begin deploying a locomotive computer system to improve the fuel efficiency and safe handling of trains in long-haul operations. >>>more
PRESS RELEASES – KNORR-BREMSE
2007
January 11, 2007
NYAB parent company KNORR-BREMSE records growth spurt
Revenues top EUR 3 billion for first time
- Revenues for Knorr-Bremse Group in 2006 increase 14 % to EUR 3.1 billion (2005: EUR 2.7 billion)
- Workforce expands to more than 13,000 (2005: 12,119)
Munich, Germany— During the 2006 business year, the Knorr-Bremse Group continued to enjoy steady growth and achieved record results, with revenue up 14 % at EUR 3.1 billion (2005: EUR 2.7 billion). One third of this increase came from acquisitions and two thirds from organic growth achieved by both company divisions, especially in Europe and North America. >>>more
2006
December 15, 2005
KNORR-BREMSE secures contract to provide ECP brakes to SPOORNET
Munich, Germany— Knorr-Bremse announced it has secured a contract to provide electronic braking and distributed power equipment to the South African railway company Spoornet. Under this contract Knorr-Bremse will retrofit 58 locomotives and about 3,000 coal wagons with electronically-controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes, and wire distributed power (WDP) control systems, both developed by its subsidiary New York Air Brake (NYAB). Approximately 40% of the equipment will be manufactured locally at Knorr-Bremse South Africa. >>>more
NEW YORK AIR BRAKE IN THE NEWS
CCB-26
June 2007
Air brake system upgrade
Railway Age
New York Air Brake now offers small roads and switching yards an air brake system upgrade to improve low-horsepower locomotive uptime and reduce maintenance costs. >>> pdf
EP-60
November, 2007
Still giving a green light to innovation
Railway Age
Technological advances like electronically-controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking,.. and LEADER (Locomotive Engineer Assist/Display Event Recorder) are pushing the envelope, driving [Norfolk Southern] toward its goal of becoming a true “digital railroad,” with “intelligent trains talking to an intelligent central office.”... >>> pdf
October 11, 2007
First Train in U.S. With New Braking System Operates Over Norfolk Southern
CNN
Norfolk Southern made railroad history today when it operated the nation's first revenue service train equipped exclusively with electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes. The train, consisting of three new locomotives and 115 new hybrid coal gondolas, will be used in regular service between coal mines in southwestern Pennsylvania and the Keystone Generating Station in Shelocta, Pa. Working with NS are the locomotive supplier General Electric, the ECP brake system provider New York Air Brake and the rail car provider Freight Car America... >>> more
September 7, 2007
Feds Propose Railroad Brake Rule
Forbes
Federal rail regulators are formally supporting a technological change already under way that enables trains to stop more quickly while also permitting them to travel longer distances between required brake tests. …New York Air Brake, which is owned by Germany's Knorr-Bremse Group, currently make(s) the new brakes... >>> more
August 2007
ECP finally taking hold
Railway Age
NYAB’s EP-60 is being fitted to 235 FreightCar American hybrid aluminum/stainless steel coal cars as well as six GE locomotive being built for [Norfolk Southern], which has taken the lead among Class I’s for implementing ECP. BNSF is expected to follow. >>> more
June 2007
ECP Brakes for Pilbara
Railway Gazette International
Following news that electronically-controlled pneumatic brakes are to be tested in revenue service…New York Air Brake has won a contract to supply similar equipment to Fortescue Metals Group in Australia. >>> pdf
May 2, 2007
Waiving the way to ECP implementation
Progressive Railroading
After surveying Spoornet's network of feeder mines and evaluating its locomotive fleet, NYAB execs concluded additional engineering applications of ECP technology were needed. The result? Two new products: the Transition Vehicle, which is designed to enable non-ECP locomotives to haul ECP wagons; and a Trainline Energizing Device ("TED") that enables ECP wagons to be operated in limited emulation of conventional control. >>> pdf
February 1, 2007
Quebec Cartier pioneers safer, more efficient railroad brakes
Canadian Mining Journal
Since installing EP-60 brakes, QCM trains have experienced a 5.7% decrease in fuel use and a 15% increase in throughput capacity. ECP brakes have virtually eliminated undesired emergencies, allowed an increase in average speed, and shortened stopping distances. Safety has been improved and component life lengthened (e.g., a 27% increase in brake shoe life). QCM has been able to increase train length from 156 cars to 182 cars without adding extra locomotives, and has been able to stop its practice of shortening trains to 100 cars and adding in-train compressor cars in the extreme cold. >>>pdf
January 16, 2007
Air Brake rolls out high tech rail brake system
TV-50, WWTI
The city where the airbrake was developed is home to a company continuing to lead the world in railroad braking technology. >>>pdf
Winter 2007
Electronic brakes offer safer more efficient train operations
Interchange
Brian McLaughlin, manager of AAR systems engineering with New York Air Brake, one of the two makers of ECPs, explains that the system uses a 230-volt electronic signal through a special cable instead of change in air pressure to set or release the brakes on the cars in a train. In effect, the train becomes a communications network with the command station in the lead locomotive, and each car a node.
With ECP, an engineer will be able to apply and release brakes gradually, which will make it easier to manager a train going up or down a grade or through sharp curves, McLaughlin continues. Overall, the new system should reduce train delays and speed up turnaround times by enabling a train to get to its destination faster. >>>pdf
November 2006
Jump-starting ECP brakes
Railway Age
Representatives from several of these organizations, and also the UTU, BLET, and NTSB attended the seminar, which was much more than an opportunity for NYAB to showcase its EP-60 technology, deployed with measurable success on the Quebec Cartier Mining railway in Canada. >>>pdf
October 23, 2006
Healthy railways a must for Canadian economy
The Globe and Mail
The New York Air Brake Company has introduced electronic brakes for railway cars that could replace traditional air-activated systems. Spokesman Matt Montague notes that the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration has endorsed the concept because it means safer and more effective stopping of trains. Unlike traditional systems, these new electronic brakes activate nearly simultaneously, providing smoother, more controllable braking with reduced brake wear. >>>pdf
January 2006
Future Train
Popular Mechanics
New York Air Brake is one of several companies that offer electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes, which change the brake pipe's role. The pipe still charges the cars' brakes, but the valves are activated electronically, via a pair of wires. By letting engineers apply all the brakes simultaneously, the technology can slash stopping distances—by nearly 70 percent in some cases. >>> more
LEADER
July, 2007
Climbing the Pumpkin Vine: Norfolk Southern engineers are conquering tough terrain with able assistance from New York Air Brake and LEADER
Railway Age
Railroaders on Norfolk Southern’s Virginia Division call it the Pumpkin Vine—an undulating piece of single-track railroad that winds 105 miles south through the Blue Ridge Mountains out of Roanoke toward Belews Creek, N.C., on the Winston-Salem District. Climbing it with a heavy coal train and manual pushers is challenging, even for veteran NS locomotive engineers used to dealing with simultaneous buff and draft forces within the same consist. That’s why this piece of former N&W trackage, with its 10-degree curves and 1.5% ruling grade, is an ideal place to develop and prove out New York Air Brake’s LEADER (Locomotive Engineer Assist/Display Event Recorder) technology. >>>more
See LEADER in action >>>video
June 10, 2007
Cut fuel costs for rail
Canadian Mining Journal
Now NEW YORK AIR BRAKE (NYAB) has developed a control technology to cut fuel costs and improve train capacity. Its LEADER (locomotive engineer assist display and event recorder) system is currently being used in the United States and proving its worth. >>>pdf
May 2007
PTC starts to roll out across the USA
Railway Gazette International
UP is also integrating New York Air Brake's Leader system with CBTC to provide onboard train handling support and energy management reporting. Leader's onboard display shows the train driver actual in-train forces, track topology and train trajectory. In a proactive assist mode, it can recommend throttle and brake settings to the driver that will minimise fuel costs and reduce in-train forces. These features are expected to improve service reliability and reduce annual fuel consumption by 6% to 8%. >>>pdf
May 2007
Engineers to get computer help
Trains Magazine
Managing a mile-long freight train over hilly terrain is a tricky proposition, even for an experienced engineer. Almost always, the person at the throttle can use all the help he or she can get. While nothing can replace years of train-handling experience, the right technology can become a valuable assistant. >>>pdf
April 30, 2007
Smart Trains Cut Fuel Use
Wired.com
Robin Chapman, the PR Manager of rail operator Norfolk Southern told me his company is developing technology that calculates the optimal speeds based on the incline and curvature of the track as well as the schedules of trains. The LEADER (Locomotive Engineer Assist Display and Event Recorder) system takes data from actual train runs to determine an optimal or "golden run". It was developed in partnership with New York Air Brake as part of a system that automatically directs and schedules trains that share lines. >>>pdf
March 2007
Thinking strategically on the fuel front
Progressive Railroading
To optimize train handling and, so, save fuel, [Norfolk Southern] is installing New York Air Brake Locomotive Engineer Assist/Display Event Recorder (LEADER) on locomotives, says Bob Blank, NS' director of research and tests. "Fuel savings in the range of 6 to 8 percent are expected for most conditions," Blank says. "But savings of as much as 20 percent or more are being realized for loaded coal trains being operated over one particular route." >>>pdf
January 25, 2007
UP to debut technology train here
Spokane Journal of Business
Spokane Journal of Business, January 25, 2007, Brandler, Emily
Union Pacific burned about $3 billion worth of fuel last year and uses 3 million gallons of diesel fuel a day, he says. The company expects the new system will result in a 6 percent to 8 percent improvement in fuel consumption annually, saving the company an estimated $150 million to $250 million a year.
The feature not only will reduce fuel consumption, but also will increase velocity, or train movement, which will improve connection performance and delivery times and ultimately, Union Pacific hopes, raises customer satisfaction, he says. >>>pdf
December 5, 2006
U.P. eyes safety, lower fuel costs
Omaha World Herald
"The difference between the best engineer and the worst engineer on fuel consumption on the same territory is like 30 percent," Young said. "We want to make the worst engineer like the best engineer.
"We think, conservatively, there is at least 5 percent fuel savings from this technology," he said, which means possible minimum savings of $150 million a year, depending on the price of fuel.
The railroad estimates savings could reach 8 percent, or $240 million a year… >>>pdf
October 2006
New power plays to watch
Railway Age
Norfolk Southern has taken this concept quite far in its application of New York Air Brake's LEADER system on 15 GE Dash 9 locomotives used in unit coal train service on the Virginia Division's Winston-Salem line. LEADER prompts the engineer to apply throttle and brake settings that yield fuel savings as well as reduced component and track structure wear, "cutting down on in-train forces and helping prevent track/train dynamic-caused derailments," according to Dr. John Samuels.
NS realized a fuel savings of as much as 10% on head-end locomotives; 25%-30% on head-end/pusher combinations.
The technology, says Samuels, "is cost-justified because it provides a good return on investment, especially with today's higher fuel prices--high enough to clear any Class I capital hurdle." This fall, another 50 LEADER systems will be deployed on the Virginia Division. >>>pdf
Computerized Single Car Test Device
September 2006
The better test quest
Progressive Railroading
Many railroads are requiring automated testing on new cars, says Bryan McLaughlin, New York Air Brake’s manager of AAR systems engineering. “It’s a better test and you get documentation showing test results,” he says. “You get away from judgment calls made by operators.” >>>pdf
TDS-5000
July 2006
Driver training benenfits from simulators
IRJ
“They allow us to provide much more variable training in less time than on a real locomotive,” said Mr. Bill Faulhaber, Norfolk Southern training manager.
According to CSX, simulators have reduced the cost and improved the quality of training. “Trainees are given a scoresheet that supervisors use to evaluate them,” says Mr. Shannon Strickland, CSX manager for engineer training and certification. “Since we began using simulators, average scores have risen from 83 to 88 %. Our trainees complete their first phase better prepared for their on-the-job training.” >>>pdf
Contact Information
Marshall Beck
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales
New York Air Brake Corporation
748 Starbuck Avenue, Watertown, NY 13601
Tel: (315) 786-5431
Fax: (315) 786-5676
Matt Montague
Public Relations - SMS
95 Brown Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Tel: (607) 257-7000
Cell: (740) 803-5005
matt@onlinesms.com
