Over the past two decades, U.S. freight railroads, particularly the Class I-s, have increasingly turned to longer trains. From 2008 to 2017, the average train length grew by roughly 25%. By 2021, some trains reached lengths approaching 2.6 miles, with about 25% of all trains exceeding 1.5 miles. Railroads have adopted longer trains to reduce costs and increase operational efficiency by moving the same tonnage with fewer train starts, crews, and locomotives.
However, longer manifest trains, which comprise railcars of varied weights and sizes, can generate extreme in-train forces, stressing equipment and creating handling complexities, raising the risk of derailment that can be more consequential due to the greater number of cars. As train lengths grow, managing these forces requires additional locomotives and careful train assembly. Since manifest trains pick up and drop off various cargo types along their routes, handling demands shift throughout a journey.
In 2021, the US Congress directed the Secretary of Transportation to study freight trains over 7,500 feet long, resulting in a report published in September 2024. This report highlights the safety challenges associated with the growing use of longer manifest trains carrying diverse freight in different railcar types. It evaluates issues related to safety, operations, crew training, impacts on blocked highway-rail grade crossings, and scheduling for Amtrak’s intercity passenger trains. The findings raise concerns about railroads’ proactive management of risks associated with longer trains, underscoring the need for safe train makeup practices and robust crew training.
According to an advisory from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), manifest train derailments “demonstrate the need for railroads and railroad employees to be particularly mindful of the complexities of operating longer trains, which include, but are not limited to: (1) train makeup and handling; (2) railroad braking and train handling rules, policies, and procedures; (3) protecting against the loss of end-of-train (EOT) device communications; and (4) where applicable, protecting against the loss of radio communications among crew members.” The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has issued similar advisories, highlighting these risks.
Technology has and is playing a major role in enabling the operation of longer trains.
Recognizing the unique challenges posed by long freight trains, Trilogical is dedicating its development efforts to creating tailored telematics solutions. This comprehensive approach aims to provide a strong foundation for the future of intelligent rail freight operations, particularly as train lengths continue to increase.
Trilogical’s approach to telematics for long freight trains is underpinned by viewing the entire train as a dynamic system and focusing on continuous monitoring throughout its journey.
Our Long-Train Intelligence System® (LTIS) enhances operational performance and safety, maximizes availability, and allows reducing maintenance costs.
The LTIS platform includes a Virtual Digital Automatic Coupling feature powered by proprietary Mesh technology which enables seamless connectivity between railcars and the locomotive, facilitating real-time alerts on train integrity, locomotive and railcars critical health issues, providing connected railcars data, and live alerts.
By generating a virtual network throughout the train, LTIS enables instantaneous head-to-end visibility into the train’s integrity, location, and the health of all components.
It delivers real-time alerts on locomotive functions, fuel consumption, speed limits, and schedules, while also addressing critical railcar issues such as loading status, active handbrakes, abnormal impacts and vibrations, etc.
Functioning as a digital auxiliary system, LTIS notifies the driver in real time about railcar disconnections and End-of-Train events.
Trilogical’s innovative approach addresses the unique challenges of long trains by optimizing operations, enhancing safety, and delivering substantial financial benefits.
