Distributed power and electronic air brake control system for a train and associated methods

A train control system for a train comprising a plurality of locomotives and an air brake system, the train control system comprising:

• a plurality of control subsystems for installation in respective locomotives, at least one of the control subsystems configurable as a lead control subsystem, and at least one other control subsystem configurable as a remote control subsystem, each control subsystem comprising
• a radio transceiver,
• a first processor connected to said radio transceiver for communicating with at least one other control subsystem,
• an electronic brake valve comprising a second processor connected to said first processor, and
• an electro-pneumatic controller comprising a third processor connected to said first and second processors and for interfacing to the air brake system of the train,
• said first, second and third processors comprising means defining a distributed control network, said first processor further comprising means for deselecting distributed power control functions.

A train control system for a train comprising a plurality of locomotives and an air brake system each locomotive comprising a locomotive control computer, the train control system comprising:

• a plurality of control subsystems for installation in respective locomotives, at least one of the control subsystems configurable as a lead control subsystem, and at least one other control subsystem configurable as a remote control subsystem, each control subsystem comprising
• a radio transceiver,
• a first housing,
• a first processor within said first housing and connected to said radio transceiver for communicating with at least one other control subsystem,
• an electronic brake valve connected to said first processor and comprising a second housing, and
• an electro-pneumatic controller connected to said first processor and said electronic brake valve, for interfacing to the air brake system of the train, said electro-pneumatic controller comprising a third housing,
• said first processor comprising a locomotive computer interface for performing both distributed power and electronic air brake functions in cooperation with the locomotive control computer, said first processor further comprising means for deselecting distributed power control function.

A train control method for a train comprising a plurality of locomotives and an air brake system, each locomotive comprising a locomotive control computer, the train control method comprising the steps of:

• installing a plurality of controls subsystems in respective locomotives, each control subsystem comprising
• a radio transceiver,
• a first processor connected to said radio transceiver for communicating with at least one other control subsystem,
• an electronic brake valve connected to said first processor, and
• an electro-pneumatic controller connected to said first processor and said electronic brake valve, for interfacing to the air brake system of the train,
• said first processor comprising a locomotive computer interface for performing both distributed power and electronic air brake functions in cooperation with the locomotive control computer;
• configuring at least one of the control subsystems as a lead control subsystem;
• configuring at least one other control subsystem as a remote control subsystem, and
• using the first processor for deselecting the distributed power control function.