Communication system for multiple locomotives

A method of controlling a train consist having a first and second locomotive, the method comprising:

• receiving a desired consist performance from an input device;
• determining a first performance setting of the first locomotive and a different second performance setting of the second locomotive based on the desired consist performance;
• monitoring an actual performance of the first and second locomotives;
• comparing the desired consist performance and the actual performance of the first and second locomotives;
• automatically adjusting the first and second performance settings based on a difference between the desired consist performance and the actual performance of the first and second locomotives;
• and
• overriding a controller to adjust the first performance setting based on a known configuration difference between the first and second locomotives.

A train consist, comprising:

• a first locomotive;
• a second locomotive operatively coupled to the first locomotive;
• first and second engines disposed on the first and second locomotives;
• first and second generators disposed on the first and second locomotives and driven by the first and second engines to produce electric power;
• first and second sets of traction motors disposed on the first and second locomotives and driven by the electric power to propel the first and second locomotives;
• an input device associated with the first locomotive and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desired consist performance;
• at least one sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of an actual performance of the first and second locomotives;
• a first controller associated with the first locomotive and configured to regulate performance of the first locomotive;
• and
• a second controller associated with the second locomotive and in communication with the first controller, the input device, and the at least one sensor, the second controller configured to:
• regulate performance of the second locomotive;
• determine a first performance setting of the first locomotive and a different second performance setting of the second locomotive based on the first signal;
• automatically adjust the first and second performance settings based on a difference between the first and second signals;
• and
• override the first controller and adjust the first performance setting based on a known configuration difference between the first and second locomotives.