On January 8th, Graham-White was awarded unconditional AAR approval for an automated single car test device (ASCTD) which is marketed as the "CADDIE." It will be available to the rail Industry in late March of this year.

Stewart Bruce, vice president of sales and marketing, states, "Graham-White's CADDIE™ accurately tests and logs data from freight cars with digital precision trackside. The ease of operation and the portability of the product package further enhance its usefulness." Bruce continues, "With the most accurate information available, the name says it all — Computer, Aided, Digital, Diagnostics, Inspection, and Evaluation, or ‘CADDIE’."

The "CADDIE" was developed in response to the AAR's request for accurate and more consistent automated single car test results. Graham-White's ASCTD integrates both pneumatic and ECP tests on one device. The Company credits Norfolk Southern Corporation's car superintendent, Jamie Wilson, for prompting the need of dual functions on one device. This added feature allows complete testing of New York Air Brakes’ ECP brakes on freight cars now in revenue service.

Dave Cole, senior project engineer, explains the process, “Our ASCTD is user-friendly and utilizes the familiar automation interface, Microsoft Windows®. The results from every step of each test are recorded on a separate log file for each car." Cole adds, "This error-free data is then stored in an embedded flash drive for later retrieval through the CADDIE’s USB port. The operator interfaces with the device by using a brightly illuminated touch-screen LCD display driven by our custom ASCTD software that runs on a low-power, single-board computer. At 56 pounds, this product provides a lightweight portable solution for fail-safe testing with trackside convenience.”

According to manager of engineering, Lenny Wedge, “the CADDIE is constructed for indoor and, especially, for outdoor use. To protect the internal components, our custom aluminum housing securely encloses all proprietary hardware and shields it against, rain, snow, sleet, and splashing water. To enhance portability, we also offer an optional heavy-duty cart and booster for applications that require trackside testing with fully controlled inlet air pressure. Several models are available for different applications.”

“Graham-White would like to thank the AAR, FRA, and those Class I’s that assisted in making our ASCTD a new standard for the industry," Bruce said. "Close relationships with companies like Norfolk Southern Corporation have given us valuable feedback. The dedicated employees here realize that we are indebted to, and are thankful for, our partnering clients. They are the ones that drive our creativity to develop new products." Bruce concludes, "The Graham-White CADDIE™ is another example of how, through research and innovation, we provide the most reliable transportation solutions worldwide,"

Founded in the early 1900’s, Graham-White is a global technology leader in the drying of compressed air for locomotives and rail transit vehicles. From locations in Salem, VA, Carson City, NV and Shreveport, LA, Graham-White provides a wide range of innovative products including: 994 Locomotive Air Dryers, SafeSet Locomotive Parking Brakes, an electronic E-BELL, the SludgeBraker and Automated Single Car Test Devices. The company supplies an assortment of severe-duty pneumatic/electro-pneumatic valves and accessories to heavy rail, rail transit, military, truck & bus, and industrial clients worldwide. Graham-White is ISO 9001:2000 and AAR M-1003 compliant. The E-BELL, CADDIE, SafeSet, and SludgeBraker brands are all registered trademarks of Graham-White Manufacturing Corporation.