Multi-master resolution of a serial bus

An apparatus for multi-master resolution of a bus for a first configured train having a first communications network including a first bus, a master node and at least one slave node including an end slave node, comprising:

• first means for detecting additional nodes and determining if the additional nodes are part of another configured train;
• second means for performing bus master resolution if the additional nodes are part of another configured train including another master node, the second means including:
• third means for reconfiguring the first configured train together with the another configured train giving bus control to the master node of the another configured train if the master node of the first configured train is not on a tail car of the first configured train,
• fourth means for reconfiguring the first configured train together with the another configured train giving bus control to the master node of the first configured train if the master node of the first configured train is on a tail car of the first configured train, and if the master node of the another configured train is not on a tail car of the another configured train,
• fifth means for signalling to an operator of the train to perform manual bus master resolution by keying down one of the two master nodes if the master node of the first configured train is on a tail car of the first configured train, and if the master node of the another configured train is on a tail car of the another configured train, and
• sixth means, responsive to the manual bus master resolution, for thereafter reconfiguring the first configured train together with the another configured train giving bus control to the master node not keyed down by the opertor.