Wabtec ECP system update

Wabtec Railway Electronics installed an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake system on Southern Company owned coal cars, operated on CSX, with GE AC4400 locomotives in November, 2000. This is the first US installation of ECP systems in accordance with AAR S-4200 series of specifications, which also uses the echelon PLT-22 power line transceiver. The ECP system as installed is described, as well as reasons for changing to the PLT-22 transceiver. The reasons for Wabtec providing cable-based ECP systems, instead of alternative RF-based systems is also discussed.