Rail

Five Most Valuable Rail Upgrades

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How much of your revenue dollars are being diverted to capital expenditures and maintenance expenses?

Did you know that since 1980, American railroad companies have been spending more than 40 cents out every revenue dollar¹ on locomotives, infrastructure and equipment costs? That’s more than $660 billion and it’s a huge investment.

At ZTR we know railroads need to see the true value in product upgrades and modernization solutions.

Railway IoT and Asset Utilization

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What is Railway IoT?

Railway Internet of Things (IoT) uses asset connectivity, remote diagnostics and precise position monitoring to improve the efficiency of railway operations through data driven analytics and decision-making.

Railway IoT can be applied to your fleet of locomotives or can also include all of your rail yard equipment and Maintenance of Way assets for a holistic view of your railway. You can find a more in depth explanation about Railway IoT here.

Railway IoT and Fuel Management Explained

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What is Railway IoT?

The phrase “Internet of Things” (IoT) describes the connection of devices to the internet and to each other. Although a seemingly simple concept, it has now become more complex with the vast network of physical devices, industrial vehicles, home appliances and a myriad of other items that are now able to connect and exchange data with each other and the internet.

The IoT can also allow objects to be sensed or controlled remotely, across existing network infrastructure, creating opportunities for improved efficiency.

The Value of Tractive Effort Analysis

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Locomotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) provide many numbers when it comes to measuring locomotive performance. Locomotive horsepower (HP), starting tractive effort and continuous tractive effort are just some examples of locomotive performance; however, it isn’t clear what this really means for railways. ZTR can provide a tractive effort analysis that contains clear, real-world information on how your locomotives can be utilized for peak performance.

ZTR and the CP Holiday Train

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LONDON, ONTARIO - ZTR Control Systems is very cognizant of the need in our own community. We have a ZTR Community Giving Committee that looks for ways to give back in a meaningful way.


For the second consecutive year, we participated in the CP Holiday Train event, both by providing volunteers the night of the event and by raising food and monetary donations within our head office in London, Ontario.

Why Buy New When You Can Renew?

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The average age of a diesel powered locomotive in Europe is well over 30 years old, but in fact, many are much older. What other major industry, that is vital to the prosperity of a nation, operates equipment this old?  It is commonly done in the railway industry. This begs the question: Why?

Locomotive Modernization Experts

Positive Train Control (PTC) Implementation: Will You Be Ready?

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The fast approaching deadline for PTC implementation has everyone feeling the stress. The looming deadline is December 31, 2018. The sands have slipped through the hourglass and there is no more time to consider possibilities or change the implementation plan, it just has to work. The big question, of course, is how to make it work everywhere, when almost all elements of the entire nationwide system have to be developed practically simultaneously.

ZTR Control Systems Offering GENSET Telematics Package

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A New Offering for ZTR

MINNEAPOLIS, MN and LONDON, ON -- ZTR Control Systems, the principal leader in industrial telematics equipment monitoring and management, has just released a new package specifically designed with the portable GENSET in mind. Whether providing power to a construction site, a well site, or to a community fair, ZTR has the GENSET telematics solution.

ZTR Control Systems Transforms the Axle Generator

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ZTR Axle Gen: Performance for the Future

MINNEAPOLIS, MN and LONDON, ON.  During the lifetime of a locomotive, an axle generator can be replaced time and time again. Debris that chips away at, and eventually shakes the unit loose, can cause unplanned downtime and replacement costs. The ZTR AxleGen not only has a new slim line but it allows for EIGHT individual outputs in one small but robust unit. These outputs feature selectable voltage levels and provide enhanced precision.