Modifying railcar embodiments convert the dead weight of empty railcars to productive use. Battery embodiments are charged by regenerative brakes, solar panels, and wind turbines. Freight car wheels, have a plurality of regenerative brakes. A plurality of airfoils, with solar panels, are installed on shipping containers, to counteract drag created by a plurality of wind turbines. Railcar embodiments are used in a mix and match fashion, as desired. Storage battery banks, are shipped and/or charged to replace existing hazardous transmission lines. Storage battery banks, are shipped and/or charged to avoid constructing new transmission lines for solar or wind farms. Factory installed EV batteries, EV batteries, and/or other rechargeable batteries, are shipped and/or charged. After battery embodiment charging is complete, power generated is diverted to train engines. Provisions are made for embodiments not connected to train engines. Embodiment operations are monitored with data displays.

A second power conversion device converts electric power supplied from a power source connected to an input side of the second power conversion device, to supply the converted electric power to a first power storage device. A first contactor is closed, such that a smoothing capacitor is charged with electric power stored in the first power storage device. A controller controls a first power conversion device to cause the first power conversion device to perform power conversion of electric power stored in the smoothing capacitor and to supply the converted electric power to a power generator.

A second power conversion device converts electric power supplied from a power source connected to an input side of the second power conversion device, to supply the converted electric power to a first power storage device. A first contactor is closed, such that a smoothing capacitor is charged with electric power stored in the first power storage device. A controller controls a first power conversion device to cause the first power conversion device to perform power conversion of electric power stored in the smoothing capacitor and to supply the converted electric power to a power generator.

Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. In one example, a system for a vehicle having a main power unit (MPU) coupled to an alternator and an auxiliary power unit (APU) configured to provide power to one or more hotel loads of the vehicle comprises: a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory executable to initiate operation of the APU in response to a drain load being applied to a battery of the vehicle that will deplete the battery to a state of charge (SOC) level that is less than a determined SOC threshold level in less time than a determined period, and the MPU is not in operation.

Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. In one example, a system for a vehicle having a main power unit (MPU) coupled to an alternator and an auxiliary power unit (APU) configured to provide power to one or more hotel loads of the vehicle comprises: a controller with computer readable instructions stored in non-transitory memory executable to initiate operation of the APU in response to a drain load being applied to a battery of the vehicle that will deplete the battery to a state of charge (SOC) level that is less than a determined SOC threshold level in less time than a determined period, and the MPU is not in operation.

A first locomotive that includes a control unit is disclosed. The control unit may receive a power demand, determine a first power limit of the first locomotive, and receive a second power limit of a second locomotive and a third power limit of a third locomotive. The control unit may proportion the power demand into a first power allocation for the first locomotive, a second power allocation for the second locomotive, and a third power allocation for the third locomotive. The control unit may adjust the first power allocation based on the first power limit, adjust the second power allocation based on the second power limit, and adjust the third power allocation based on the third power limit. The control unit may cause an action to be performed in connection with the first power allocation, the second power allocation, and the third power allocation.

A first locomotive that includes a control unit is disclosed. The control unit may receive a power demand, determine a first power limit of the first locomotive, and receive a second power limit of a second locomotive and a third power limit of a third locomotive. The control unit may proportion the power demand into a first power allocation for the first locomotive, a second power allocation for the second locomotive, and a third power allocation for the third locomotive. The control unit may adjust the first power allocation based on the first power limit, adjust the second power allocation based on the second power limit, and adjust the third power allocation based on the third power limit. The control unit may cause an action to be performed in connection with the first power allocation, the second power allocation, and the third power allocation.

Methods and systems are provided for a multi-fuel engine. In one example, a method includes operating engines of rail vehicles at a desired substitution ratio to recharge an energy storage device of a rail vehicle operating in an all-electric mode to meet a requested total power.

Methods and systems are provided for a multi-fuel engine. In one example, a method includes operating engines of rail vehicles at a desired substitution ratio to recharge an energy storage device of a rail vehicle operating in an all-electric mode to meet a requested total power.

A system and method generate a trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system along a route. The usage of an engine during the trip is determined based on engine operational parameters, energy storage device operational parameters, and one or more objectives of the trip desired to be achieved. The usage of the energy storage device during the trip is also determined based on the engine operational parameters, the energy storage device operational parameters, and the one or more objective, including when to charge or discharge the energy storage device during the trip.