Patent ID: 6997418

Claim:
A method for testing a distributed electrical power control system for controlling locomotive power to move a train having a first locomotive and at least one second locomotive, the power control system including a train control system comprising a first control unit on the first locomotive configured to control power generated on the first locomotive, a second control unit on a second locomotive to control power generated on a second locomotive respective, the first and second control units establishing a communication link to communicate power control messages between the first and second control units, the first control unit further being configured to communicate with a distributed electrical power control system testing device independent of its communication with a second control unit to enable testing of the first unit without use of a second control unit, said method for testing comprising: providing a testing device that emulates the operation of a second control unit but that is not carried on a second locomotive to control power generated onboard the second locomotive; establishing a communication link between the testing device and the first locomotive control unit that emulates the communication link that would exist between the first control unit and a second control unit; executing preprogrammed test scripts to test the distributed power control system without communicating between the first control unit and a second control unit and without controlling the generation of power on a second locomotive; and using the testing device to emulate the operations and communications of a second control unit relative to the first control unit.