According to David Pettengill, Product Manager, the initial order was received following successful completion of extensive field tests conducted last year. The SafeSet™ Wheel Style Brake is an automated, electric motor driven system which allows the operator to set the brake using “set” and “release” buttons located on a control panel adjacent to the brake. The wheel is provided as a manual back-up in the event electrical power is unavailable. The brake received high marks for ease-of-use and for meeting overall functional requirements from the OEM and Class 1 railroads participating in the tests, says Pettengill has become an option for the customer.

“The option is proving popular with customers because its push-button operation eliminates the effort typically required to set and release a locomotive parking brake,” says Pettengill. “Because brakes are often set in harsh environments multiple times a day, this level of dependability and ease-of-use is critical.”

Lynn Cauley, Team Leader for rail sales, says that the first brakes were shipped to Canada in early May and approximately 8-10 brakes will be shipped each week through the first half of 2008. “We coordinate our shipments to meet EMD’s production schedule,” she says.

Pettengill will travel to London, Ontario this summer to assist EMD manufacturing crews onsite during the first installations. He says the brake was designed with ease of installation in mind so he expects the process to go smoothly.

“Providing support for installation is part of the service we pledge to our customers,” says Pettengill. “We want to be available to immediately answer any questions as the brake is installed.”

Hunter Babcock, Engineering Project Manager for the SafeSet™ Wheel Style Brake, adds that Graham-White worked closely with EMD engineering during all phases of the process. “The feedback during these first phases has been very positive,” he says. “The units have performed very well in the field.”

Babcock says the SafeSet™ Wheel Style Brake underwent extensive environmental and life cycle testing in the lab, resulting in a thoroughly tested brake; developed and refined to optimize the reliability, safety, and fit of the product.

“The SafeSet Brake was designed to meet an increasing need in the industry for a safe, reliable brake that all operators can use, no matter what their physical strength,” says Babcock. “Our product has been received very favorably because it meets that need.”

Although the initial order for 320 brakes will be installed on new locomotives, the Wheel Style parking brake is designed for easy retrofit installation on existing locomotives in addition to OEM applications, says Babcock. Graham-White offers installation kits tailored to specific locomotives.

“Setting a brake quickly, correctly and safely shouldn’t require a lot of guess work or muscle strain. That’s why the new SafeSet Brake is one of the best investments for your employees and fleet”, says Stewart Bruce, VP Marketing.

For more information on Graham-White products and services, log on to www.grahamwhite.com.

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Graham-White, headquartered in Salem, VA provides reliable transportation solutions. GW is a world technology leader in the drying of compressed air for locomotives and rail transit vehicles and a wide range of innovative products including the SafeSet™ Locomotive Parking Brake, Electronic Bell-E-BELL®, SludgeBraker™, Computerized Single Car Test Device and an assortment of heavy-duty pneumatic and electro-pneumatic valves and accessories to heavy rail, rail transit, military, truck & bus, and industrial clients.

At locations in Salem, VA, Carson City, NV and now Shreveport, LA, our 245 full-time associates provide the highest level of quality in design, manufacturing and customer service to customers around the globe. Our commitment to improve is evidenced by our ISO 9001:2000 compliance and our ability to meet the requirement of the American Association of Railways' M-1003 on all or our products and services.