An emergency braking control circuit based on coupler coupling detection includes a coupler status detection circuit and a coupler status relay that are connected in series with a train power loop. A normally open contact of the coupler status relay is connected to an emergency braking train line in a cross-parallel manner. When a coupler is coupled normally, inductive proximity sensors located at a knuckle and a central pivot are closed to drive the coupler status relay, and the normally open contact of the coupler status relay is connected in a cross-parallel manner to ensure that a corresponding node of the emergency braking loop is closed. In case of abnormal coupling or accidental uncoupling of couplers, the inductive proximity sensors of the couplers of two adjacent cars are disconnected simultaneously, the coupler status relays of the two cars are powered off, and emergency braking is applied.

An emergency braking control circuit based on coupler coupling detection includes a coupler status detection circuit and a coupler status relay that are connected in series with a train power loop. A normally open contact of the coupler status relay is connected to an emergency braking train line in a cross-parallel manner. When a coupler is coupled normally, inductive proximity sensors located at a knuckle and a central pivot are closed to drive the coupler status relay, and the normally open contact of the coupler status relay is connected in a cross-parallel manner to ensure that a corresponding node of the emergency braking loop is closed. In case of abnormal coupling or accidental uncoupling of couplers, the inductive proximity sensors of the couplers of two adjacent cars are disconnected simultaneously, the coupler status relays of the two cars are powered off, and emergency braking is applied.

A vehicle control system and method include processors that determine that an energy storage device of a vehicle will have insufficient energy to power a propulsion system of the vehicle under a first set of operational settings to move the vehicle from a first location within a powered segment to a designated second location that is outside of an unpowered segment of a route. Responsive to determining that the energy storage device will have insufficient energy, the processors change one or more settings of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under a second set of operational settings while the vehicle moves within the powered segment of the route to charge the energy storage device to a greater extent relative to operating of the vehicle according to the first set of operational settings.

Long range, zero emission, battery-electric line haul locomotive, off-grid renewable energy recharging infrastructure and method of operation are presented. Proposed battery-electric locomotive (Neon Zero) designed to exceed performance and operational capabilities of current state-of-the-art diesel-electric interstate line-haul locomotives, such as Wabtec (former GE) Evolution ET44AC series (USA), and EMD SD70ACe-T4 series from Electro-Motive Diesel (USA). Competitively priced with Tier 4+ diesel-electric locomotives, with affordable off-grid renewable energy recharging infrastructure, absolute zero emission, improved productivity, and huge savings on fuel cost (5+ times), maintenance (2+ times), and cabin crew expenses (up to 2 times) make proposed Neon Zero locomotive natural choice for replacement of diesel-electric locomotives worldwide, and particularly in North America railroad freight service. The Neon Zero locomotives and nationwide recharging infrastructure will bring dramatic benefits to railroads, shippers and the public, more significant than switching from steam to diesel-electric locomotives. Enabling technology for practical battery-electric, long range line haul locomotive will be a new generation of low cost/high specific energy Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt batteries with high nickel/low cobalt content such as NMC 811, or similar chemistry. Such battery cells are coming into mass production around 2025, and soon will be available from all major battery manufacturers. First time in the history of electric vehicles, including locomotives, NMC 811 battery-powered vehicles will cost less than similar vehicles powered by diesel engines.

Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a communication status in a train consist operating in a distributed power system, the train consist including a lead locomotive and a plurality of remote locomotives. The method includes, for each remote locomotive of the plurality of remote locomotives that receives the command message directly from the lead locomotive, setting the message source indicator of the remote locomotive to a first state representative of a direct receipt of the command message, incrementing the message source counter for each response message received by the remote locomotive from other remote locomotives in which the respective message source indicator is set to the first state, generating a response message including a value of the message source indicator and a value of the message source counter, and transmitting the response message. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a communication status in a train consist operating in a distributed power system, the train consist including a lead locomotive and a plurality of remote locomotives. The method includes, for each remote locomotive of the plurality of remote locomotives that receives the command message directly from the lead locomotive, setting the message source indicator of the remote locomotive to a first state representative of a direct receipt of the command message, incrementing the message source counter for each response message received by the remote locomotive from other remote locomotives in which the respective message source indicator is set to the first state, generating a response message including a value of the message source indicator and a value of the message source counter, and transmitting the response message. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

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 method includes applying a brake system of a multi-vehicle system using an onboard controller device and receiving grade input at the onboard controller device from a remote controller device. The grade input indicates a grade of a surface on which the multi-vehicle system is disposed. The method further includes starting movement responsive to receiving a speed command signal at the onboard controller device from the remote controller device. The movement started by initiating release of the brake system and/or generating tractive effort from a propulsion system of the multi-vehicle system stretches the multi-vehicle system. The method further includes, responsive to the movement reaching a designated speed, switching to a closed loop control process of controlling the movement based on one or more of the speed command signal or a brake command signal received at the onboard controller device from the remote controller device.

A vehicle control system an onboard controller device to interface with a propulsion system and a brake system. A remote controller device wirelessly communicates with the onboard controller device and receives input from an operator, generates control signals based on the input, wirelessly communicates the control signals to the onboard controller device while the vehicle system moves along one or more main line routes. A method includes receiving input from an operator at a remote controller device, generating control signals at the remote controller device based on the input from the operator, wirelessly communicating the control signals to an onboard controller device, controlling one or more of a propulsion system or a brake system of the vehicle system to change movement of the vehicle system while the vehicle system moves along one or more main line routes.

A system and method include a train including a plurality of rail cars configured to travel along a track having rails. Each of the plurality of rail cars includes brakes. A braking control unit is in communication with the brakes of the plurality of rail cars. The braking control unit is configured to control the brakes of a subset of the plurality of rail cars in accordance with braking data.