A remote data backup system for a locomotive may include a communication unit on-board the locomotive configured to be communicatively coupled with an off-board server. The communication unit may be configured to transmit data to the off-board server and receive at least one of data, commands, and applications from the off-board server. The remote data backup system may also include a central processing module on-board the locomotive comprising a cab electronics system configured to receive and store on-board equipment operational data from outputs of one or more of machine gauges, indicators, sensors, and controls in an on-board memory, process and integrate the received equipment operational data, receive additional equipment operational data and one or more control command signals from the off-board server, and communicate commands based on the equipment operational data and the received control command signals. The system may also perform a self-check upon startup of the locomotive to determine whether equipment operational data is present in the on-board memory, and request a download of previously uploaded data from the off-board server if the self-check determines that no equipment operational data is present in the on-board memory.