Patent ID: 6691957
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
A system responsive to an operator for controlling a consist of at least first and second locomotives having a plurality of discrete operating modes, said operating modes including at least one power operating mode and at least one braking capacity optimization mode, said system comprising:an operator control for use by the operator to indicate a desired operating mode from the plurality of discrete operating modes, said desired operating mode being the braking capacity optimization mode; a first controller responsive to the desired operating mode as indicated by the operator control for controlling a power operating mode of the first locomotive; a second controller responsive to the desired operating mode as indicated by the operator control for controlling a power operating mode of the second locomotive wherein, in at least one mode of the plurality of discrete operating modes of the system, the power operating mode of the second locomotive is different as compared to the power operating mode of the first locomotive; and a communication link interconnecting the first and second controllers and providing information corresponding to the desired operating mode to the first and second controllers, said braking capacity optimization mode specifying the power operating mode of each of the first and second locomotives as a function of a braking capacity of the first and second locomotives.