and the characteristics of the braking system itself if the operator has not activated the brakes in a manner sufficient to stop the train in time at step 226 the control module 110 automatically activates the brakes to stop the train at step 228 if the track circuit 180 responds to the interrogation at step 218 and reports that the track 185 is intact at step 220 then the control module 110 returns to step 210 to repeat the process returning to step 210 will result in interrogating the track circuit 180 device multiple times as the train approaches this is desirable for safety purposes because it will detect any problems that occur after the initial interrogation e g a vandal dislodging a rail from causing and accident whether or not the interrogation of step 218 includes the device 39 s identification number it is preferable for the device 39 s response to include its identification number as this allows for greater assurance that a response from some other source has not been mistaken as a response from the track circuit 180 of interest fig3 a and 3 b together form a flowchart 300 illustrating operation of the control unit 10 in connection with configurable devices 180 according to a second embodiment of the invention this embodiment allows a train to proceed through a section of track at a reduced speed such that the train can be stopped if.