Editing Distributed power (section)

{{Short description|Locomotive power distribution within a train}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{Expand Chinese}}
{{Distinguish|Distributed power generation}}
[[File:Distributed power.jpg|thumb|Distributed power on the [[BNSF Railway]] with [[Autorack|autoracks]] on the front half and [[Intermodal freight transport|intermodal]] on the back half]]

In [[rail transport]], '''distributed power''' ('''DP''') is a generic term referring to the physical distribution—at intermediate points throughout the length of a [[train]]—of separate motive power groups. Such "groups" may be single units or multiple consists,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://railwaysafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3413&Itemid=0 |title=Home |publisher=[[Railways Africa]] |date=2019-12-19 |accessdate=2019-12-30}}</ref> and are remotely controlled from the leading [[locomotive]]. The practice allows locomotives to be placed anywhere within the length of a train when standard [[Multiple-unit train control|multiple-unit (MU) operation]] is impossible or impractical. DP can be achieved by wireless (RF connectivity) or wired (trainlined) means. Wired systems now provided by various suppliers use the cabling already extant throughout a train equipped with [[electronically controlled pneumatic brakes]] (ECP).