Locomotive/tender car communication system

A communication system for a consist having a plurality of locomotives and a tender car, the communication system comprising;

• a locomotive access point configured to be located onboard each of the plurality of locomotives;
• a locomotive controller connected to each locomotive access point;
• a tender car access point configured to be located onboard the tender car;
• a tender car controller connected to the tender car access point;
• a plurality of network components configured to be located onboard the plurality of locomotives and onboard the tender car and connected with a corresponding one of the locomotive and tender car access points;
• and
• a communication coupling extending between the locomotive access point and tender car access point,
• wherein the locomotive and tender car controllers are configured to selectively affect operation of the plurality of locomotives and the tender car, respectively, based on operational information obtained via the plurality of network components over the communication coupling.

A consist, comprising:

• a first locomotive;
• a second locomotive;
• a tender car mechanically and fluidly connected to the first and second locomotives;
• a first locomotive access point configured to be located onboard the first locomotive;
• a first locomotive controller connected to the first locomotive access point;
• a second locomotive access point configured to be located onboard the second locomotive;
• a second locomotive controller connected to the second locomotive access point;
• a tender car access point configured to be located onboard the tender car;
• a tender car controller connected to the tender car access point;
• a plurality of network components configured to be located onboard the first locomotive, onboard the second locomotive, and onboard the tender car and connected with a corresponding one of the first locomotive, second locomotive, and tender car access points;
• and
• a multi-unit cable extending between the first locomotive, the second locomotive, and the tender car access points,
• wherein the first locomotive, the second locomotive, and the tender car controllers are configured to selectively affect fueling of the first and second locomotives based on operational information obtained via the plurality of network components over the multi-unit cable.