A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus.

An arrangement for driving a locomotive has various energy-provision systems. The locomotive contains a main energy-provision system as the main system and a drive system. Energy provided by the main system is supplied to the drive system as drive power and is used by the drive system for moving the locomotive. A carriage contains at least one additional energy-provision system as an auxiliary system. The auxiliary system is used in a manner which is temporally offset from the main system in order to supply drive power to the drive system. Components which can be used by both the main system and the at least one auxiliary system are implemented only once and are used jointly by both the main system and the at least one auxiliary system. Components which are used exclusively by the at least one auxiliary system are arranged on the carriage.

An arrangement for driving a locomotive has various energy-provision systems. The locomotive contains a main energy-provision system as the main system and a drive system. Energy provided by the main system is supplied to the drive system as drive power and is used by the drive system for moving the locomotive. A carriage contains at least one additional energy-provision system as an auxiliary system. The auxiliary system is used in a manner which is temporally offset from the main system in order to supply drive power to the drive system. Components which can be used by both the main system and the at least one auxiliary system are implemented only once and are used jointly by both the main system and the at least one auxiliary system. Components which are used exclusively by the at least one auxiliary system are arranged on the carriage.

A system for controlling a hybrid propulsion system includes a computer programmed to obtain altitude and terrain information associated with a predetermined route for the hybrid propulsion system comprising a first energy source and a second energy source. The computer is also programmed to obtain current and forecast ambient weather information associated with the predetermined route of the hybrid propulsion system, determine a power requirement and a torque requirement of the hybrid propulsion system associated with the altitude and the terrain along the predetermined route of the hybrid propulsion system, generate a trip plan to optimize at least one of a plurality of performance parameters of the hybrid propulsion system as the hybrid propulsion system travels along the predetermined route, and preferentially select the first energy source and/or the second energy source based on the trip plan.

A vehicle may include: a genset including: an engine configured to combust light fuel such as natural gas, a generator linked to the engine and configured to convert mechanical energy provided by the engine into electrical energy; one or more light fuel storage containers; one or more electrical storage devices such as batteries; a plurality of wheels; a plurality of electric motors configured to drive the plurality of wheels; a first power bus configured to electrically connect the generator of the genset, the one or more electrical storage devices, and the plurality of electric motors. Each of the one or more electrical storage devices may be disposed lower than each of the one or more light fuel storage containers with respect to a vertically extending reference axis that is perpendicular to a reference plane parallel to ground.

A drive control device includes a self-excited generator to generate and output electric power by being driven by an internal combustion engine, and a separately excited generator to generate and output electric power by being driven by the internal combustion engine when the separately excited generator is in an excited state. The drive control device further includes a first power converter to convert electric power fed from the separately excited generator via primary terminals into DC power and output the DC power via secondary terminals or to convert DC power fed via the secondary terminals into electric power to be fed to the separately excited generator and output the electric power via the primary terminals, and a capacitor connected between the secondary terminals of the first power converter.

A drive control device includes a self-excited generator to generate and output electric power by being driven by an internal combustion engine, and a separately excited generator to generate and output electric power by being driven by the internal combustion engine when the separately excited generator is in an excited state. The drive control device further includes a first power converter to convert electric power fed from the separately excited generator via primary terminals into DC power and output the DC power via secondary terminals or to convert DC power fed via the secondary terminals into electric power to be fed to the separately excited generator and output the electric power via the primary terminals, and a capacitor connected between the secondary terminals of the first power converter.

A system may include a computer to obtain orientation information of a determined travel route for a vehicle system that includes a first power source and a second power source. The computer may determine one or more energy requirements of a hybrid propulsion system based on the orientation information. The computer may generate a trip plan to control a performance parameter(s) of a hybrid propulsion system and control a stable low temperature combustion. The computer may select at least one of the first power source or the second power source to deliver the one or more energy requirements. A method may include obtaining the orientation information, determining the one or more energy requirements, generating the trip plan, and selecting at least one of the first power source or the second power source. A vehicle system may include a hybrid power source, an electric motor(s), and a computer.

A locomotive suited for use as a switcher for road and/or yard work is provided. The switcher comprises a mother unit having an engine for converting fuel into electricity. The mother unit includes two trucks supporting wheels on a plurality of axles, and a plurality of traction motors to provide tractive force to the mother unit's axles. The switcher also includes a slug unit operatively coupled to the mother unit in a manner to transmit electric power, signals and hauling force. The slug unit can include at least one truck, which can be removed from a retired locomotive and at least one traction motor electrically coupled to the mother unit and operatively coupled to the axle(s). Sufficient ballast can be added to equalize weight per axle. The switcher combines the power of a locomotive with more axles with the maneuverability of a locomotive with fewer axles.

A locomotive suited for use as a switcher for road and/or yard work is provided. The switcher comprises a mother unit having an engine for converting fuel into electricity. The mother unit includes two trucks supporting wheels on a plurality of axles, and a plurality of traction motors to provide tractive force to the mother unit's axles. The switcher also includes a slug unit operatively coupled to the mother unit in a manner to transmit electric power, signals and hauling force. The slug unit can include at least one truck, which can be removed from a retired locomotive and at least one traction motor electrically coupled to the mother unit and operatively coupled to the axle(s). Sufficient ballast can be added to equalize weight per axle. The switcher combines the power of a locomotive with more axles with the maneuverability of a locomotive with fewer axles.