The calculation of optimal driving strategies for on-board control of freight trains is a challenging task. In this paper we calculate the critical switching points for a globally optimal strategy on a track with steep gradients using a new local energy minimization principle. The method has been used successfully in Australia to calculate optimal switching points and hence provide in-cab advice to train drivers on long-haul freight trains. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.