What Elcon does

Elcon, Inc. is a privately held, Minooka, Illinois-based designer and manufacturer of electronic control systems, modules, and high-voltage cabinetry for the railroad industry. Founded in 1953 by a former EMD (Electro-Motive Division) employee, the company has been continuously owned by former EMD employees across three generations and is currently led by Frank J. Garrone Jr. as President. Elcon operates as the OEM manufacturer for new EMD Dash 2 and Super Series locomotive control modules and is the largest manufacturer and remanufacturer of locomotive control modules in the aftermarket, maintaining an active inventory of 6,000 part numbers including components no longer manufactured since 1985.

The company's product portfolio spans voltage regulators, the EM2000 microprocessor retrofit system, traction motor management (TMM) modules, cooling fan controllers, ditch light controllers, kilowatt-hour meters, battery charging/discharging controllers, and the proprietary T.O.P.S. fuzzy logic adhesion optimization system. These products are designed for backward compatibility with legacy EMD platforms (Dash-2, 50 Series, pre-Dash 2, and GE locomotives) and are positioned as modernization and overhaul solutions for aging North American locomotive fleets.

Elcon generates revenue through three streams: hardware sales of control systems and cabinetry, module remanufacturing and repair services (UTEX and R&R programs), and custom design and engineering services supported by a network of experienced engineering talent. The go-to-market is sales-led, with direct engagement of domestic railroad operators, OEM partnerships with EMD, and field installation performed by Elcon's own staff. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and serves the U.S. market from a single headquarters and manufacturing facility in Minooka, Illinois.

Name

Elcon

Legal name

Elcon, Inc.

Website

https://elconinc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Elcon designs and manufactures electronic control systems, modules, and high-voltage cabinetry for the railroad industry, serving as the OEM manufacturer for EMD Dash 2 and Super Series locomotive modules and the largest remanufacturer of locomotive control modules in the U.S. aftermarket.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minooka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Control Systems and Cabinetry Manufacturing: Designs, manufactures, and supports control systems and cabinetry throughout the entire life cycle. Products include voltage regulators, cooling fan controllers, ditch light controllers, power supplies, and specialized control modules.
2. Module Remanufacturing and Repair: Largest manufacturer and remanufacturer of locomotive control modules. Provides OEM manufacturing for new EMD Dash 2 and Super Series modules as well as Unit Exchange (UTEX) and Repair & Return (R&R) modules.
3. Custom Design and Engineering Services: Works with customers on design and development of control system components including smallest printed circuit boards to full control cabinets or operator's consoles. Special fabrications and cable harnesses included.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Elcon designs, manufactures, and supports locomotive control systems and electronic modules for the railroad industry. The company produces voltage regulators, microprocessor control systems, cooling fan controllers, ditch light controllers, power supplies, traction management modules, and high voltage cabinets. It also serves as the OEM manufacturer for new EMD Dash 2 and Super Series modules and is the largest remanufacturer of locomotive control modules in the industry.

Product overview

Elcon is a manufacturer of locomotive control systems and electronic components, offering a portfolio of hardware products for railroad locomotive overhaul and modernization. The product line includes the EM2000 microprocessor control system (a retrofit enabling older locomotives to match SD70-90 technology), voltage regulators, Traction Motor Management (TMM) modules, auto start/stop systems, Smart Series cooling fan controllers, ditch light controllers, EMD modules (new and remanufactured), kilowatt-hour meters, T.O.P.S. (traction optimizing system), battery maintenance controllers, and cabinets/control stands. These products function as integrated components for locomotive electrical control systems, with many designed to be backward compatible with legacy EMD platforms (Dash-2, 50 Series, etc.). Elcon also provides installation services performed by their staff of experts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMD Modules: EMD locomotive control modules - new and remanufactured, including exclusive supplier of new EMD Dash-2 & 50 Series module boards
• EM2000
• VR Universal
• T.O.P.S.
• Smart Series

Products and services

• Voltage Regulators

Quantifiable outcome

• TOPS achieves 27% adhesion on dry track vs WS-10's 19% (40% improvement); 25% adhesion on wet track vs WS-10's 16% (56% improvement)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• EMD (Electro-Motive Division of General Motors)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerElcon is the OEM manufacturer for new EMD Dash 2 and Super Series modules as well as for Unit Exchange (UTEX) and Repair & Return (R&R) modules. The company also developed one of the earliest test applications of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to a Santa Fe locomotive in 1988.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Alstom: Alstom is a major global rail rolling stock and signaling manufacturer. Comparable as a broad rail incumbent providing complete locomotive systems and electronic controls, though primarily serving European and transit markets.
• Mitsubishi Electric: Mitsubishi Electric manufactures propulsion and control systems for rail vehicles globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent providing rail propulsion inverters and train control electronics, with extensive engineering and manufacturing capability.
• Wabtec: Wabtec (formerly Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies) is one of the largest global rail equipment manufacturers following its merger with GE Transportation. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same North American locomotive ecosystem with control electronics, modernization, and aftermarket services.
• Knorr-Bremse: Knorr-Bremse is a global leader in rail braking and onboard systems for rail vehicles. Comparable as a broad incumbent providing electronic control systems for rail vehicles, with significant engineering and manufacturing scale in rail electronics.
• Hitachi Rail: Hitachi Rail (formerly Ansaldo STS) provides rail signaling, control, and propulsion systems globally. Comparable as a major rail electronics incumbent providing train control and signaling systems, though more focused on transit/metro than freight.
• Curtiss-Wright: Curtiss-Wright manufactures engineered products for defense, commercial nuclear, and industrial markets. Comparable as an incumbent providing ruggedized electronic controls and embedded systems for harsh environments, including rail-adjacent applications.
• Progress Rail: Progress Rail is Caterpillar's rail subsidiary, now owning EMD (Electro-Motive Diesel). Comparable as the company that owns the OEM platform relationship Elcon serves, with locomotive manufacturing, remanufacturing, and aftermarket services directly overlapping Elcon's offering.
• Siemens Mobility: Siemens Mobility provides rail automation, electrification, and rolling stock solutions globally. Comparable as a broad rail incumbent with locomotive manufacturing and rail electronics, though more focused on light rail and transit.

Direct peers

• ZTR Control Systems: ZTR Control Systems specializes in locomotive modernization and control systems, providing products like SmartStart idle-reduction systems and NEXSYS logic controllers. Directly comparable as a niche peer focused on retrofit electronics for legacy locomotives.
• Control Chief: Control Chief specializes in locomotive remote control (LRC) systems for the rail industry. Comparable as a niche peer providing electronic control products specifically designed for locomotive applications in the North American rail market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/elconinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elcon-corp

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elcon