Alerter
Electronic Locomotive Alerter
FRA-mandated electronic vigilance timer requiring acknowledgment every 25 to 60 seconds.
Easy
Based on vigilance required, reaction window, and braking penalty severity.
menu_book System Overview
The Locomotive Alerter is standard on all freight and passenger trains operating across North America. It continuously monitors engineer activity and initiates emergency braking if no control motion or acknowledgment occurs.
settings How It Operates
- check_circle A timing cycle runs based on train speed (faster speeds result in shorter intervals, between 25 and 60 seconds).
- check_circle Moving the throttle, dynamic brake, horn, or bell automatically resets the timer.
- check_circle If no inputs occur, a flashing visual light appears on the console, followed by a pulsating high-frequency alarm.
- check_circle If not acknowledged within 6-8 seconds of the alarm, a full service penalty brake application is initiated.
visibility In-Cab Visual & Audio Indications
Pulsing white/amber lamp on the control stand.
High-pitched electronic warble sound.
lightbulb Driver Tips to Avoid Penalty Brakes
- verified Tapping the horn or bell reset switch also resets the Alerter cycle.
- verified If an Alerter penalty occurs, center your throttle, apply independent brake, wait for brake pipe pressure to restore, then reset.
route Compatible Routes
All Routes arrow_forwardNo specific routes mapped yet for this system in the database.