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railPrime
12/5/2016
LinkUp International Perspective: Engineered solutions for onboard hardware
By Nathan Fritzel, president
In 2008, LinkUp International was presented an opportunity to assist a Class I in designing a solution for the installation of PTC onboard components. LinkUp worked directly with both the component manufactures and the end customer to design an LSI rack that would be universal in the components housed while offering different mounting solutions.
The success of that design and ability to provide answers to other unsolved issues uniquely positioned LinkUp to become the primary supplier of onboard PTC hardware. Continued growth in this new market drove the need for engineered solutions, which ultimately lead to LinkUp’s development of in house design capabilities. Through those design capabilities we now offer a variety of hardware such as shelving, cabinets, racking and mounting plates along with locomotive rooftop antenna systems.
These products have helped not only the Class Is, but also short lines and commuter railroads seamlessly adopt and install PTC onboard their locomotives. One of the major challenges that we have faced would be the fact that almost every type of locomotive presents a different cab configuration. Through those challenges LinkUp has designed and engineered hundreds of different configurations for high-, intermediate- and low-horsepower locomotives.
LinkUp also has designed and manufactures a rooftop antenna farm system that allows up to 26 antennas to be mounted on the roof of the locomotive with only one access point for cabling. This helps prevents the chance of moisture getting in the cab while dramatically increasing the serviceability of the antennas.
We strive to build long-term relationships with our customers by working interactively to provide mutually beneficial solutions. LinkUp is proud to be a part of the railway community and is excited to see the long-term safety and operational benefits that come from the implementation of PTC.