Patent ID: 8532842

Claim:
A remote operator control system comprising: a communication link to send and receive rail vehicle information; an operator interface including a first transfer control input configured to receive operator input for transferring control of operation of a selected rail vehicle from manual control by the remote operator control system to automatic control by an energy management system; and a controller configured to send, through the communication link, a request to establish communication with a positive train control system on-board the selected rail vehicle based on an operating condition, send, through the communication link, a request to establish communication with the energy management system on-board the selected rail vehicle based on the operating condition, in response to receiving confirmation of communication with the positive train control system, receive positive train control information for the selected rail vehicle through the communication link, display the positive train control information for the selected rail vehicle on the operator interface, and send, through the communication link, control commands to the energy management system to take control of operation of the selected rail vehicle from the remote operator control system in response to receiving operator input through the first transfer control input.