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Also in 2008

Big J is chosen to provide recertification/refresher training for all signal maintenance contractors nationwide for a major railway service company. Training will start in mid spring and should be completed by early summer.

Coming in 2008

Big J is chosen to handle signal training for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for the 2008 calendar year. DART is a firm believer in the Big J hands-on training approach, and statistics prove that students returning to their jobs are more confident and interested in their work after attending a Big J training session.

December 2007

Big J is asked to provide advisement and assistance with entire LACMTA training facility and program, while also wrapping up discussion for the final portion of a system simulator tentatively scheduled for delivery to LACMTA in mid 2008. LACMTA is a leader and example of signal training commitment done right. Good Job MTA!

October 2007

Big J provides on-site intro signal training to NJT and Bombardier signal department new hires from multiple NJT lines. Cost savings and on-site observation of what good their people were actually receiving were some of the major causes of praises received from NJT and Bombardier management. Big J can turn any conference room or tool house into a signal training classroom with simulators that arrive with Big J instructors for training. Advanced training is being discussed and scheduled for 2008. Big J is proud to be working closely with NJT and Bombardier once again.

August 2007

Los Angeles County Metro Transit Authority orders track simulators for internal signal training. Based on observed and understood strengths of Big J track simulators, LACMTA has ordered multiple selections of track circuit simulators conducive to training on MTA systems, and these were shipped in December 2007. LACMTA is recognized as the largest and best outfitted signal training center on the west coast of the USA, largely comprised of Big J equipment. Way to go MTA!

July 2007

Big J provides intro signal training to Indiana Railroad new hire signal force. Training utilized Big J transportable training simulators and Big J training materials in a two-week signal intro course that included field training on actual line equipment with signal supervisor escort. Advanced training is being discussed for scheduling in 2008.

May 2007

New Product! New Partners! The Supervisor Sidekick Track Trainer is debuted at the 2007 RSSI show in Calgary at the S&C Distribution Company Booth and receives great reviews. This trainer is the first of the compact, reduced cost simulators being developed by Big J. Our company is proud to "make the cut" and be promoted by an industry leader in the manufacture of the industry's finest rail signal test equipment and other related signal products. S&C will use the reduced size trainer for both in house demonstration of their products and in house track circuit refresher training for S&C personnel. Whether you purchase from S&C or Big J, the price and product support will be the same. If S&C is your company of choice, contact them at info@sandcco.com or phone 708.396.1755. See more about the reduced size Supervisors Sidekick Track Trainer in the products section of this site.

April 2007

Phase two of the Los Angeles Metro training simulator was recently delivered and quickly interfaced to the phase one portion developed by Big J last summer. Based on actual railway location prints, this processor controlled intermediate section was developed to replicate the actual signal operations on the Metro line in miniature for training. The new module enhances the operating features and hence the "bigger picture" ability of the overall simulator. Big J is currently working with Metro officials to define specifications for a third portion of the simulator, ensuring that it too has the desired impact on the Metro's signal trainees. All the development, shipping and delivery, set up, and "train the trainer" training was handled directly by Big J for this simulator, making the familiarization of training staff a speedy process. At the same time, LA Metro also received a Big J Basic Straight Track Trainer for separate introductory training on the basic track circuit. It is believed that the Metro has acquired the largest system-correct training simulator in North America to date. This, along with their continued expansion, symbolizes the Metro's dedication to meeting an important need as it should be met on any railroad. Way to go Metro!

March 2007

Big J delivers DART introductory maintenance training to DART's new signal hires. With a new training approach using DART's in house simulators made by Big J, accompanied by Big J traveling equipment, a type of training that was previously lecture intensive and book taught was instead delivered in an intense hands on setting. Big J handouts and notes guides were used in conjunction with actual system product manuals and procedures and were a hit with students. This training had students so involved with the lesson and the results that they were building for themselves that often the instructor had to make the students leave the training area well after the end of the scheduled day, promising the students that they could pick up right where they left off the next morning. Big J realizes that training is a two-part deal: the training has to be of quality, and the students also have to be focused to properly absorb the material. But when your training program has the attendees entranced and wanting more of the information being delivered, you know that your training is being done right. A better capable employee returning to the field is DART's most striven for outcome when spending its training dollar, and that was certainly realized in this case. DART recognizes that in signal training, one size doesn't fit all, but one company can provide the right fit anytime and every time...and that company is Big J! GO DART!

January 2007

BNSF National Academy of Railroad Sciences accepts delivery of three new Big J Three Track Trainers. The Big J redesign of the BNSF original equipment resulted in easier to follow track wire schematics and graphics and offers identical trouble scenarios and track conditions to that of the original designs. With signal training demands requiring larger class sizes, these trainers provide a larger base of resources of hands on training equipment, so each student is afforded more direct time with the trainers and no rewriting or reworking of existing document training materials was required. These new trainers were delivered in just weeks from order time, and a Big J tech was on hand to address any concerns that the BNSF may have had in the initial use of the trainers. Big J brought home yet another high mark report card in this delivery to a satisfied customer. (See the 3T06 track trainer details in the products section of this site.)

Spring 2007

Big J Signal's manufacturing and development operations are now 100% in its new 5,400 square foot facility! Our new facility provides greater development area and workspace, increasing our ability and efficiency to handle multiple projects for an even timelier delivery. We had hoped to have an open house at this time, but filling customer orders comes first, so our open house will be scheduled for a later date. Meeting customer needs at the best price with the best customer service and delivery time will always be a Big J priority.

December 2006

Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) asks Big J to deliver a training seminar on highway-rail grade crossing preemption for state and federal signal inspectors. The seminar is receiving such attention that a second seminar may need to be scheduled to accommodate the attendance rush. This is a current hot topic for governing agencies and railroad design departments on railway crossing systems across the U.S. Big J maintains a close allegiance with state DOT and FRA inspectors and requirements, ensuring proper and current information is a baseline of any Big J offering. Government inspectors and railroads across the globe boast of the confidence and capabilities their people achieve through Big J training and training support.

November 2006

LACMTA contracts with Big J to develop a second portion of a rail system training simulator. It is based on the same pulse-coded AC track circuits in use on the actual electrified line. This next addition, which is to be delivered in first quarter 2007, places the LACMTA training center among the ranks of the most finely outfitted and capable signal training centers in the world. A third section is in initial development, targeted for delivery in late 2007 or early 2008.

September 2006

BNSF National Academy of Railroad Sciences, one of the finest and largest railway training facilities in North America, partners with Big J for crossing track circuit boxes developed on BNSF designs. See the three track style C ring 10 trainer in the products section for more information on these simulators. Additional simulators are being delivered in December 2006, with more upgrades and repairs on existing equipment being discussed as well as ongoing new simulator development. Big J considers it a privilege to team up with one of the finest Class 1 railroads and railroad training centers in the United States.

July 2006

Big J delivers an interlocking simulator to the Los Angeles County Metro Transit Authority (LACMTA) Railway. This simulator was based on actual location prints and programming from an MTA Gold Line location, using a leading manufacturer's processor controller in use on the line along with miniature switches, signals, live track circuits, and over sixty instructor-selectable troubles inserted at the trainer switch panel. LACMTA is applauded for taking the training of the MTA signal force seriously. Signal team leaders are finding that the simulator is an effective tool for checking locking test procedures before applying the tests to field locations--a wonderful and welcome additional strength that Big J Simulators are being internationally recognized for. The Gold Line Interlocking Simulator is one of three parts that are being built based on actual MTA location programming and prints.

April 2006

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) requests simulator tune up and upgrade of an in-service Big J interlocking simulator delivered back in 2003. All signalmen trained on the DART rail signal system use this simulator in their training, and DART is one of the believers in the value that this type of trainer provides. Upgrades include adding power to the miniature switch machines, which was an option declined at initial build time. Discussions of other possible simulator development are also being reviewed. DART is nationally recognized as a model transit rail system, and the DART commitment to all aspects of their system, including training support, is a key element in their achieving this recognition. DART's is a good example of an in-house training center being developed with a program unique to their railroad. While having a signal department of significant size, they produce trained and qualified people for their railroad at a much lower cost than that of subscribing to an outside training center. DART schedules the training they want when they want it. They are an excellent example of signal training requirements handled correctly. Way to go DART!

March 2005

Siemens Corporation Germany orders a custom track simulator based on Big J designs for in-house testing and training. This unique simulator is capable of replicating over 35,000 feet of track with varying qualities of ballast in its actual three-foot cabinet and panel. This simulator is earmarked as representing the longest track segment ever simulated by a Big J track simulator.



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