Patent ID: 6922619

Claim:
A method for controlling the level of tractive efforts in a train having a first locomotive at a head end of the train, constituting a lead locomotive, operable through a range of engine throttle settings, and a second locomotive positioned in the train at a spaced location behind the lead locomotive, constituting a remote locomotive, operable through a range of engine throttle settings, with at least one railcar being positioned between the lead and remote locomotives, a communication link between the lead and remote locomotives for transmitting and receiving throttle control signals for controlling locomotive engine throttle settings and tractive effort control signals for controlling the level of tractive effort, and the remote locomotive being configured to selectively operate in either of two modes of operation comprising a first mode in which the locomotive operates at a substantially full tractive effort level of operation and a second mode in which the locomotive operates in a partial tractive effort level of operation producing a tractive effort which is less than the substantially full tractive effort of the locomotive, the method comprising: at the lead locomotive, selecting between the two modes of operation for producing a level of tractive effort appropriate for conditions as the train moves along a length of track; transmitting a tractive effort control signal indicative of the selected mode of operation from the lead locomotive to the remote locomotive; receiving the tractive effort control signal at the remote locomotive; and controlling the tractive effort generated at the remote locomotive so as not to exceed the selected level, whereby with the lead and remote locomotives under power to operate in engine throttle settings to move the train, a tendency of a relatively light railcar between the lead and remote locomotives to derail under the tractive effort applied by the remote locomotive may be selectively reduced.