Patent ID: 8328145
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: B61C,B61L

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a rail vehicle consist including a first rail vehicle and a second rail vehicle, the rail vehicle consist coupled to at least one rail car forming a train, each of the first and second rail vehicles being operable in a traction mode and a braking mode, the method comprising: determining an operational status of a communications link between the first rail vehicle and the second rail vehicle; determining an operational mode of each of the first and the second rail vehicles; determining a direction of travel of the train; and activating an alarm in the first rail vehicle in response to a shift of the operational mode of the first vehicle from traction to a braking mode, the step of activating an alarm requiring the communications link between the first rail vehicle and the second rail vehicle to be inoperable, the direction of travel of the train being reverse, and the operational mode of both of the first and the second rail vehicles being traction.