Patent ID: 7021588

Claim:
A system for controlling a consist of at least first and second locomotives each having discrete operating modes, said first and second locomotives being configured for receiving control signals via a communication link, said system comprising: a locomotive control for indicating a desired operating mode; a controller electrically coupled to the first locomotive and responsive to the desired operating mode as indicated by the locomotive control for determining a mode of operation of the first locomotive according to a first power operating mode and for determining a mode of operation of the second locomotive according to a second power operating mode, wherein, in at least one mode of operation of the system, the first power operating mode is different as compared to the second power operating mode; wherein said controller is coupled to the communication link for providing information corresponding to the first power operating mode to the first locomotive and for providing information corresponding to the second operating mode to the second locomotive; and wherein the controller determines that the power operating modes of the first and second locomotives are selected as a function of a sensed fuel consumption rate of at least one of the first and second locomotives.