Consist power system having onboard renewable energy devices

A method of providing power to a consist having a locomotive, comprising:

• generating a main supply of electric power with a generator driven by an engine located onboard the locomotive;
• generating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive;
• generating a second auxiliary supply of electric power with a solar panel located onboard the locomotive;
• selectively directing the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of electric power to a traction motor to propel the locomotive;
• determining a speed of the consist;
• and
• selectively controlling at least one of the wind turbine and the solar panel based on the speed of the consist.

A consist power system for a consist having a locomotive, comprising:

• an engine located onboard the locomotive;
• a generator driven by the engine to produce a main supply of electric power;
• a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power;
• a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a second auxiliary supply of electric power;
• a traction motor configured to receive the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to propel the locomotive;
• a vent located on at least one side of a body of the locomotive;
• and
• a controller being configured to selectively control the vent in response to a braking command.

A method of providing power to a consist having a locomotive, comprising:

• generating a main supply of electric power with a generator driven by an engine located onboard the locomotive;
• generating a first auxiliary supply of electric power with a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive;
• generating a second auxiliary supply of electric power with a solar panel located onboard the locomotive;
• selectively directing the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of electric power to a traction motor to propel the locomotive;
• receiving a braking command indicating that the consist is braking;
• and
• selectively opening a vent of a body of the locomotive based on the braking command.