Vehicle control system and method

An energy rail vehicle comprising:

• one or more traction motors configured to generate tractive effort for propulsion;
• one or more energy storage devices configured to power the one or more traction motors;
• a coupler configured to mechanically connect the energy rail vehicle with at least one other rail vehicle;
• and
• one or more processors configured to autonomously control operation of the one or more traction motors to connect the coupler with the at least one other rail vehicle to supply one or more of electric energy to the at least one other rail vehicle from the one or more energy storage devices, tractive effort to move the at least one other rail vehicle, sensor data to the at least one other rail vehicle, or a functionality to the at least one other rail vehicle, the one or more energy storage devices and the one or more traction motors are limited to propelling less than 10,000 pounds and are limited to generating less than 4,500 horsepower,
• wherein the at least one other rail vehicle is a cargo rail vehicle and the energy rail vehicle is lighter than the cargo rail vehicle while the cargo rail vehicle is not carrying any cargo.

An energy rail vehicle comprising:

• one or more traction motors configured to generate tractive effort;
• one or more energy storage devices configured to power the one or more traction motors;
• a coupler configured to mechanically connect the energy rail vehicle with at least one other rail vehicle;
• and
• one or more processors configured to autonomously control operation of the one or more traction motors, the one or more processors configured to control the one or more traction motors to connect the coupler with the at least one other rail vehicle to supply one or more of electric energy to the at least one other rail vehicle from the one or more energy storage devices, tractive effort to move the at least one other rail vehicle, sensor data to the at least one other rail vehicle, or a functionality to the at least one other rail vehicle, wherein the one or more traction motors are configured to generate energy to charge the one or more energy storage devices while the at least one other rail vehicle pulls or pushes the energy rail vehicle along one or more tracks,
• wherein the one or more processors are configured to identify a repair need of the at least one other rail vehicle using the sensor data, the one or more processors configured to autonomously control the movement of the energy rail vehicle to move the at least one other rail vehicle to a repair facility responsive to identifying the repair need.