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Locomotive LED’s are Maintenance Free

Locomotive LED’s Reduce Maintenance, Emissions, and Lower Fuel Consumption October 16, 2008 - Railhead Corp recently completed development on a smart LED 75VDC for locomotives. The new KE-4WLL Locomotive LED 4 Watt Lamp was developed for the railroad industry to improve emissions, lower fuel consumption, and dramatically reduce light bulb maintenance while eliminating cut and burn injuries commonly associated with the change out of incandescent bulbs on locomotives. The previous incandescent bulbs had a short life span while the new LED lamps last 5.7 years running 24/7 before they begin to dim.

Several companies have been working together over the course of a year to make this specialized LED available to save both time and money for the rail industry. The challenge presented to this group was to develop an LED that could handle the rugged conditions of the rail industry, reduce the power needed in operation, produce a retrofit solution, and deliver the brightness needed to effectively replace the old style incandescent bulbs. Railhead’s new Locomotive Lamp 4 WATT LED provides that solution.

After developing the unit and testing at the Canadian Pacific facility in Port Coquitlam British Columbia, it was confirmed that the new Locomotive LED is an effectively bright replacement. After seeing how bright these LED’s were the next concern was if they would be taken and used for household use. That challenge was also met by providing a DC only version that only works on locomotives truly making it “One ‘smart’ LED 75VDC for locomotives.”

Linda Gaines, Ph.D. from the Center for Transportation Research at the U.S. Dept of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory commented: “LED lights seem like a no-brainer for trains.” Linda Gaines has worked on R&D needs for the rail industry for several years, working along side such industry notables as Union Pacific and Federal Railroad Administration. For additional information on the KE-4WLL Locomotive Lamp, light comparison charts, fuel savings study, or pricing please contact Tom Poulsen at Railhead Corp.

Railhead Corporation has been serving the rail industry for 48 years as a customer focused organization delivering the latest technology advancements through integration and development. Railhead Corp. is also the recent winner of the Rail Marketplace bid making it the new preferred vendor for blue flag protection to six Class 1 railroads.