diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
index 5f8f36ae..f9dbeb67 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
       branches: [ main ]
   pull_request:
+  workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs:
   test:
diff --git a/applications/calibration/cleaning_traction.py b/applications/calibration/cleaning_traction.py
index 99106da1..c12975c5 100644
--- a/applications/calibration/cleaning_traction.py
+++ b/applications/calibration/cleaning_traction.py
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@
 import re
 import numpy as np
  
-directory = 'C:\\Users\\phartnett\\Altrios_private\\altrios-private\\data\\trips\\ZANZEFF Data - v5.1 1-27-23 ALTRIOS Confidential\\ZANZEFF Data - v5 1-27-23 ALTRIOS Confidential\\'
+directory = Path().home() /\
+    'Altrios_private/altrios-private/data/trips/ZANZEFF Data - v5.1 1-27-23 ALTRIOS Confidential' /\
+    'ZANZEFF Data - v5 1-27-23 ALTRIOS Confidential/'
+
 pathlist = Path(directory).glob('*.csv')
 paths=[]
 os.makedirs('traction/trips', exist_ok=True)
diff --git a/applications/demos/set_speed_train_sim_demo.py b/applications/demos/set_speed_train_sim_demo.py
index de27b597..85d7439c 100644
--- a/applications/demos/set_speed_train_sim_demo.py
+++ b/applications/demos/set_speed_train_sim_demo.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
     init_train_state=init_train_state,
 )
 
-# make sure rail_vehicle_map can be constructed from yaml file and such
+# TODO: make sure rail_vehicle_map can be constructed from yaml file and such
 rail_vehicle_file = "rolling_stock/rail_vehicles.csv"
 rail_vehicle_map = alt.import_rail_vehicles(
     str(alt.resources_root() / rail_vehicle_file)
diff --git a/rust/Cargo.toml b/rust/Cargo.toml
index df77a9fd..a688ae20 100644
--- a/rust/Cargo.toml
+++ b/rust/Cargo.toml
@@ -5,6 +5,26 @@ members = [
 ]
 resolver = "2"
 
+[workspace.package]
+authors = [
+    "ALTRIOS Team <altrios@nrel.gov>",
+    "Chad Baker, Lead Developer",
+    "Nick Reinicke, Developer",
+    "Matt Bruchon, Developer",
+    "Jinghu Hu, Developer",
+    "Grant Payne, Developer",
+    "Jason Lustbader, PI",
+    "Garrett Anderson, Developer",
+    "Joel Allardyce, Developer",
+    "Prativa Hartnett, Developer",
+    "Steve Fritz, SwRI Lead",
+    "Tyler Dick, Co-PI",
+]
+license = "BSD-3-Clause"
+edition = "2021"
+homepage = "https://www.nrel.gov/transportation/altrios.html"
+repository = "https://github.com/NREL/altrios"
+
 [profile.dev]
 opt-level = 0
 
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core-py/Cargo.toml b/rust/altrios-core-py/Cargo.toml
index b265401e..992118fc 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core-py/Cargo.toml
+++ b/rust/altrios-core-py/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 [package]
 name = "altrios-core-py"
+authors = { workspace = true }
+edition = { workspace = true }
+license = { workspace = true }
+homepage = { workspace = true }
+repository = { workspace = true }
 version = "0.1.0"
-edition = "2021"
-license = "BSD-3-Clause"
 
 # See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html
 
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core/Cargo.toml b/rust/altrios-core/Cargo.toml
index 0c71159f..8b41d43b 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/rust/altrios-core/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 [package]
 name = "altrios-core"
+authors = { workspace = true }
+edition = { workspace = true }
+license = { workspace = true }
+homepage = { workspace = true }
+repository = { workspace = true }
 version = "0.1.2"
-edition = "2021"
-license = "BSD-3-Clause"
-authors = ["NREL/MTES/CIMS/MBAP Group"]
 description = "ALTRIOS Core model for train simulation"
-homepage = "https://www.nrel.gov/transportation/altrios.html"
 readme = "README.md"
-repository = "https://github.com/NREL/altrios"
 
 [dependencies]
 csv = "1.1.6"
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core/altrios-proc-macros/Cargo.toml b/rust/altrios-core/altrios-proc-macros/Cargo.toml
index b3001ce5..4ab381cc 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core/altrios-proc-macros/Cargo.toml
+++ b/rust/altrios-core/altrios-proc-macros/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 [package]
 name = "altrios-proc-macros"
+authors = { workspace = true }
+edition = { workspace = true }
+license = { workspace = true }
+homepage = { workspace = true }
+repository = { workspace = true }
 version = "0.1.2"
-edition = "2021"
-license = "BSD-3-Clause"
-authors = ["NREL/MTES/CIMS/MBAP Group"]
 description = "ALTRIOS procedural macros"
-homepage = "https://www.nrel.gov/transportation/altrios.html"
 readme = "README.md"
-repository = "https://github.com/NREL/altrios"
 
 # See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html
 
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/battery_electric_loco.rs b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/battery_electric_loco.rs
index 4f503079..29c2ee3f 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/battery_electric_loco.rs
+++ b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/battery_electric_loco.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use super::LocoTrait;
 use crate::imports::*;
 
 #[derive(Default, Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, HistoryMethods, SerdeAPI)]
+#[altrios_api]
 /// Battery electric locomotive
 pub struct BatteryElectricLoco {
     #[has_state]
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/conventional_loco.rs b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/conventional_loco.rs
index 2fae15a6..bd4c632b 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/conventional_loco.rs
+++ b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/conventional_loco.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use super::LocoTrait;
 use crate::imports::*;
 
 #[derive(Default, Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, HistoryMethods, SerdeAPI)]
+#[altrios_api]
 /// Conventional locomotive
 pub struct ConventionalLoco {
     #[has_state]
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/hybrid_loco.rs b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/hybrid_loco.rs
index b129c979..5025295a 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/hybrid_loco.rs
+++ b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/hybrid_loco.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ use super::LocoTrait;
 use crate::imports::*;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize, HistoryMethods)]
+#[altrios_api]
 /// Hybrid locomotive with both engine and reversible energy storage (aka battery)  
 /// This type of locomotive is not likely to be widely prevalent due to modularity of consists.  
 pub struct HybridLoco {
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/locomotive_model.rs b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/locomotive_model.rs
index f0d7ca32..22871d4e 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/locomotive_model.rs
+++ b/rust/altrios-core/src/consist/locomotive/locomotive_model.rs
@@ -13,6 +13,39 @@ pub enum LocoType {
     Dummy,
 }
 
+impl From<HybridLoco> for LocoType {
+    fn from(value: HybridLoco) -> Self {
+        Self::from(Box::new(value))
+    }
+}
+
+impl TryFrom<&PyAny> for LocoType {
+    type Error = PyErr;
+    /// This allows us to construct LocoType any struct that can be converted into LocoType
+    fn try_from(value: &PyAny) -> std::result::Result<Self, Self::Error> {
+        value
+            .extract::<ConventionalLoco>()
+            .map(LocoType::from)
+            .or_else(|_| {
+                value
+                    .extract::<HybridLoco>()
+                    .map(LocoType::from)
+                    .or_else(|_| {
+                        value
+                            .extract::<BatteryElectricLoco>()
+                            .map(LocoType::from)
+                            .or_else(|_| value.extract::<Dummy>().map(LocoType::from))
+                    })
+            })
+            .map_err(|_| {
+                pyo3::PyErr::new::<pyo3::exceptions::PyTypeError, _>(format!(
+                    "{}\nMust provide ConventionalLoco, HybridLoco, BatteryElectricLoco, or Dummy",
+                    format_dbg!()
+                ))
+            })
+    }
+}
+
 impl Default for LocoType {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self::ConventionalLoco(Default::default())
@@ -89,6 +122,7 @@ impl Default for LocoParams {
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Default, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, SerdeAPI)]
+#[altrios_api]
 pub struct Dummy {}
 
 impl LocoTrait for Dummy {
@@ -107,6 +141,24 @@ impl LocoTrait for Dummy {
 }
 
 #[altrios_api(
+    #[new]
+    fn __new__(
+        loco_type: &PyAny,
+        loco_params: LocoParams,
+        save_interval: Option<usize>,
+    ) -> PyResult<Self> {
+        Ok(Self {
+            loco_type: LocoType::try_from(loco_type)?,
+            state: Default::default(),
+            save_interval,
+            assert_limits: true,
+            pwr_aux_offset: loco_params.pwr_aux_offset,
+            pwr_aux_traction_coeff: loco_params.pwr_aux_traction_coeff,
+            force_max: Some(loco_params.force_max),
+            ..Default::default()
+        })
+    }
+
     #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
     #[classmethod]
     fn build_conventional_loco(
@@ -186,9 +238,8 @@ impl LocoTrait for Dummy {
         Ok(Self::default_battery_electric_loco())
     }
 
-    #[classmethod]
+    #[staticmethod]
     fn build_battery_electric_loco (
-        _cls: &PyType,
         reversible_energy_storage: ReversibleEnergyStorage,
         drivetrain: ElectricDrivetrain,
         loco_params: LocoParams,
@@ -389,8 +440,8 @@ pub struct Locomotive {
     pub assert_limits: bool,
     /// constant aux load
     pub pwr_aux_offset: si::Power,
-    /// gain for linear model on traciton hp use to compute linear aux
-    /// load
+    /// gain for linear model on traction power used to compute traction-power-dependent component
+    /// of aux load, in terms of ratio of aux power per tractive power
     pub pwr_aux_traction_coeff: si::Ratio,
     /// maximum tractive force
     #[api(skip_get, skip_set)]
diff --git a/rust/altrios-core/src/pyo3.rs b/rust/altrios-core/src/pyo3.rs
index d1f6a004..e35217b8 100644
--- a/rust/altrios-core/src/pyo3.rs
+++ b/rust/altrios-core/src/pyo3.rs
@@ -4,4 +4,4 @@ pub use pyo3::exceptions::{
 };
 pub use pyo3::ffi::{getter, setter};
 pub use pyo3::prelude::*;
-pub use pyo3::types::{PyBytes, PyDict, PyType};
+pub use pyo3::types::{PyAny, PyBytes, PyDict, PyType};