US short line railroad deploys PTC
Illinois Railway (IR) is one of the first US short line railroads to implement fully functional positive train control (PTC) and enable state-of-the-art safety on its trains, according to Omnitrax that operates the line.
The IR has installed PTC equipment on three locomotives to maintain inter-operability with similar technology used by BNSF and Metra trains operating on part of Metra’s busiest commuter territory between Aurora and Eola, IL. The IR was awarded a grant by the federal railroad administration for 70% of the PTC deployment cost.
The system constantly monitors numerous locomotives, track and train network variables. The technology communicates with BNSF track wayside units and acts to prevent speed violations and collisions. (ben)