Electronic Control Pneumatic (ECP) Train Support

ECP Train Support

Target cohort

Train support technicians, reliability staff, supervisory technical staff, operational technical staff and experienced driver trainers.

Course Overview

The course focuses on ECP and Wired Distributed Power fault finding and train recovery, using highly effective aeronautics fault management and decision-making methods, coupled with detailed technical ECP/DP fault-finding guides developed over many years of managing ECP train reliability.

While covering theory components, the course heavily utilises practical scenarios to build familiarity with fault-finding processes and how to use the information provided.

This intensive, comprehensive course is challenging and effective, designed to significantly upgrade train support skills and management.

The course can be extended to cover broader aspects of modern GE locomotive train support.

Course duration

The course lasts 3 days for groups of no more than 6 persons; however, this may be reduced for groups of 4 or fewer.

Costs

Course costs will be based on the booked course and the number of participants after requirements are finalised. Call us for a quote.

Performance criteria/learning outcomes

1. Support the process for ECP trains. Demonstrate an understanding of the fault-finding and decision-making process for;

1.1. Prioritising actions.

1.2. Perceiving and processing the situation.

1.3. Choosing a course of action and working through to a resolution.

1.4. Evaluation of the resolution.

1.5. Personal considerations.

1.6. Self-management.

2. Introduction to ECP trains. Demonstrate an understanding of ECP concepts for:

2.1. What is ECP?

2.2. The development of train brakes - a brief history, understanding the basic function of train air brakes, the evolution and enabling factors of ECP.

2.3. ECP guiding documents and standards – introduction.

2.4. The difference between air brakes and the ECP train brake system.

2.5. Brief of company ECP and train operational documents and/or train operating conditions requirements.

2.6. ECP advantages, disadvantages and introduction to common problems encountered.

3. ECP/DP functional and operational overview. Demonstrate an understanding of the ECP system operational overview for:

3.1. Train brake operational mode process.

3.2. Trainline power.

3.3. ECP wagon control process.

3.4. Pneumatic supply and control and emergency portion.

3.5. Empty/loaded load control.

3.6. Manual release.

4. ECP component functions and operational parameters. Identify and understand the function and basic failure modes of ECP components for:

4.1. ECP locomotive operation controls and components

4.2. Train brake commands and target pressures.

4.3. ECP locomotive components and function.

4.4. ECP locomotive communications and integration with locomotive systems

4.5. Wagon ECP system and component functions.

4.6. Wagon pneumatic components.

4.7. Empty loaded system and components.

4.8. ECP train-line components, functions and common fault conditions.

4.9. ECP and pneumatic penalty and emergency applications, and their relationship to causes and recovery.

Use train brake safe operating parameters as the basis for ECP fault programming, train brake commands, and target pressures.

5. Train-line power and communication. Understand the operation, function and fault modes of the ECP communication and power systems for:

5.1. Train-line communications and power system operation.

5.2. Train-line power modes

5.3. Train-line ECP and WDP signalling and polling

5.4. Powerline communication signalling and polling and its relationship to faults and train brake operation requirements.

5.5. ECP/DP monitoring parameters and failure protocols.

5.6. Trainline faults, comms failure modes and causes - signal interference, crosstalk, signal degradation and reflection.

5.7. Failsafe programming and the relationship to comms, monitoring parameters and safe train brake operation.

6. Operator ECP and DP controls and functions. Demonstrate understanding and ability for ECP operations for:

6.1. ECP modes of operation and their functions and operating parameters.

6.2. Set up and exit ECP/DP modes.

6.3. Navigate and monitor ECP power, status and logs (theory and practice).

6.4. Interrogate ECP monitoring and status screens and logs available to the driver.

7. ECP/DP fault-finding and recovery processes. Demonstrate an understanding of ECP fault-finding and decision-making processes for:

7.1. Utilise log and train status screens to confirm or further diagnose fault and recovery processes

7.2. Understand recovery protocols and limitations in different operating modes.

7.3. Use screen information to identify the train's status and initial fault condition and recovery mode.

7.4. Demonstrate ability to quickly diagnose common start-up, power, comms, train degradation faults and ECP and DP control issues using fault guides.

7.5. Understand process and utilise fault guides for deeper fault-finding processes.

7.6. Demonstrate familiarity with common on-train fault management procedures and equipment for drivers and maintainers.

8. ECP train degraded and disabled train rescue options. Demonstrate familiarity with ECP degraded and disabled train movement and rescue options for:

8.1. ECP degraded train options.

8.2. ECP failed train rescue options.

8.3. Demonstrate familiarisation and limitations with set-up and operation of ECP backup modes – SWITCH and Emulation where available.

9. ECP train integrity tests. Demonstrate familiarity with ECP-based train integrity tests and expected results for:

9.1. Wagon in cab inspection for effective brake retention time.

9.2. Wagon in cab inspection for continuity, BP leakage and function.