Hot water train service system

Abstract

In an embodiment, there is provided a train service system. The train service station includes a recirculating line having a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply into the recirculating line and a plurality of water outlets. Three or more of the water outlets are located within forty feet of a railroad track. The train service station also includes a heater heating the water in the recirculating line to between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The train service station also includes three or more hoses connected to the three or more of the water outlets located within forty feet of the railroad track.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A train service system comprising:
 a recirculating line having a water inlet for receiving water from a water supply into the recirculating line and a plurality of water outlets, three or more of the water outlets being located within forty feet of a railroad track;   a heater heating the water in the recirculating line to between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit; and   three or more hoses connected to the three or more of the water outlets located within forty feet of the railroad track.   
     
     
         2 . The train service system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an ambient air temperature sensor for obtaining an ambient air temperature; and   a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the heater, the controller configured to control the heater based on the ambient air temperature to heat the water to a first level if the air temperature is a first temperature and to a second temperature if the air temperature is a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature and the first level being higher than the second level.   
     
     
         3 . The train service system of  claim 2 , wherein both the first level and the second level are less than 195 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         4 . The train service system of  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises:
 a boiler;   a primary loop for containing water heated by the boiler; and   a heat exchanger transmitting thermal energy to the recirculating line.   
     
     
         5 . The train service system of  claim 4 , wherein the heater further comprises:
 a secondary loop coupled with the primary loop, the secondary loop passing heated water to the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         6 . The train service system of  claim 5 , wherein the heater comprises a pump coupled with the secondary loop for circulating water through the secondary loop. 
     
     
         7 . The train service system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a temperature sensor configured to sense a water temperature in a line associated with a boiler of the heater or in the recirculating line; and 
 a controller coupled with the heater and the temperature sensor, the controller maintaining the temperature in the line associated with the boiler or in the recirculating line at a selected temperature between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. 
 
     
     
         8 . The train service system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor receiving an ambient air temperature,   and wherein the controller is configured to determine the selected temperature based on the ambient air temperature.   
     
     
         9 . The train service system of  claim 1 , wherein the three or more water outlets are separated from one another by at least 25 meters. 
     
     
         10 . The train services station of  claim 1  wherein the heater is configured to heat the water in the recirculating line such that the water remains substantially in liquid form within the recirculating line. 
     
     
         11 . A heating unit for heating water in a recirculating line that distributes water within a train service system, the heating unit comprising:
 a heater including a line for carrying water;   a temperature sensor receiving an ambient air temperature; and   a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the heater, the controller configured to control the heater based on the ambient air temperature and wherein the controller is configured to maintain the water in the line in a substantially liquid state irrespective of the ambient air temperature.   
     
     
         12 . The heating unit of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to control the heater based on the ambient air temperature to heat the water to a first level if the air temperature is a first temperature and to a second temperature if the air temperature is a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature and the first level being higher than the second level. 
     
     
         13 . The heating unit of  claim 12 , wherein both the first level and the second level are less than 195 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         14 . The heating unit of  claim 11 , wherein the line is a secondary loop coupled with a primary loop, the primary loop coupled to a boiler, the secondary loop passing heated water to the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The heating unit of  claim 14 , further comprising a pump coupled with the secondary loop for circulating water through the secondary loop. 
     
     
         16 . The heating unit of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a temperature sensor configured to sense a water temperature in a line associated with the heater or in the recirculating line; 
 a controller coupled with the temperature sensor configured to sense the water temperature in the line associated with the heater, the controller maintaining the temperature in the line associated with the heater or in the recirculating line at a selected temperature between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 195 degrees Fahrenheit.