A train control system for optimizing the control of a plurality of locomotives in a train consist including a Lead Locomotive and a plurality of Remote Locomotives , the system being capable of operating in a plurality of operation modes including a driver-assist Distributed Power mode, the system comprising: an operator interface located on the Lead Locomotive that is adapted to receive input braking and throttle commands from a train operator; a control network connecting at least all locomotives and enabling transmission of throttle and brake commands to each locomotive , the control network being coupled to the operator interface ; and a computer located onboard the Lead Locomotive , characterized in that the onboard computer is adapted to automatically translate operator's input of a single set of braking and throttle commands pertaining to operation of the Lead Locomotive into locomotive specific braking commands and throttle commands for each locomotive within the consist based on at least two of the track profile information, train consist information and temporary speed restriction information, the onboard computer is adapted to calculate the translated braking and throttle values for each of the plurality of locomotives independently so as to minimize in-train forces and/or maximize fuel economy within selected parameters for optimisation in view of the train's fuel conservation, the reduction of in-train forces and maintaining the average train velocity, and the train control system is adapted to output the translated braking and throttle commands to each of the plurality of Remote Locomotives distributed in the consist for being automatically implemented by each of the Remote Locomotives in order to automatically control each of the plurality of Remote Locomotives in the train consist. an operator interface located on the Lead Locomotive that is adapted to receive input braking and throttle commands from a train operator; a control network connecting at least all locomotives and enabling transmission of throttle and brake commands to each locomotive , the control network being coupled to the operator interface ; and a computer located onboard the Lead Locomotive , characterized in that the onboard computer is adapted to automatically translate operator's input of a single set of braking and throttle commands pertaining to operation of the Lead Locomotive into locomotive specific braking commands and throttle commands for each locomotive within the consist based on at least two of the track profile information, train consist information and temporary speed restriction information, the onboard computer is adapted to calculate the translated braking and throttle values for each of the plurality of locomotives independently so as to minimize in-train forces and/or maximize fuel economy within selected parameters for optimisation in view of the train's fuel conservation, the reduction of in-train forces and maintaining the average train velocity, and the train control system is adapted to output the translated braking and throttle commands to each of the plurality of Remote Locomotives distributed in the consist for being automatically implemented by each of the Remote Locomotives in order to automatically control each of the plurality of Remote Locomotives in the train consist. <EOS>