Decentralized feedback controls for the brakeless operation of multilocomotive powered trains

This short paper presents an application of linear regulator theory to the control of multilocomotive powered unit trains. Locomotives are taken to be situated at the front, middle, and end of the train. Their feedback controls are linear functions of the deviations in locomotive schedule velocity and the coupler forces around the locomotive. The controls are designed by assuming that various locomotive-gondola car combinations are detached from the train. Computer simulation results are presented for a 62 car train traversing an undulating grade. The controls obtained are for the propulsion of the train as problems associated with braking are not considered. The control algorithm used in this short paper, where only local measurements are used for control, is an example of a decentralized control system.