A diesel locomotive is a type of railway locomotive in which the power source is a diesel engine. Several types of diesel locomotives have been developed, differing mainly in the means by which mechanical power is conveyed to the driving wheels. Learn how diesel engines, electric motors and generators combine to power modern trains.
Find out why diesel is more efficient than gas or electric, and why trains have steel wheels and traction control. Learn about the development and evolution of diesel-electric locomotives, from the early experiments to the modern models. Find out the major manufacturers, the most powerful and important diesels, and the difference between diesel and electric locomotives.
Learn about the history, design and operation of diesel locomotives, the self contained versions of electric locomotives. Find out how they produce electricity, control power and cool the traction motors. All aboard! Come along for this look at diesel-electric locomotives in the western United States! Continuing with this next installment in my Trains Galore v.
Learn how diesel locomotives are classified by generation based on their design and evolution from the 1920s to the present. See examples of first-, second-, third-, and fourth. Locomotive - Diesel, Traction, Engines: By the end of the 1960s, diesel had almost completely superseded steam as the standard railroad motive power on nonelectrified lines around the world.
The change came first and most quickly in North America, where, during the 25 years 1935-60 (and especially in the period 1951-60), railroads in the United States completely replaced their steam. Diesel locomotive engines operate on compression ignition. You'll find they inject fuel into a high-pressure, high-temperature environment where compressed air's heat ignites it.
These engines boast compression ratios of 14:1 to 25:1, delivering superior fuel efficiency and torque. Key components include fuel injectors, which atomize diesel for best combustion. The process involves precise.
The diesel engine drives an alternator, which produces electricity to run electric motors mounted on the locomotive's axles. The internal combustion engine was a dramatic improvement in efficiency over the steam locomotive, making substantial savings possible in maintenance and the elimination of widespread facilities. A diesel train is one that has a locomotive run by diesel fuel, in a manner of speaking.
Actually the diesel fuel is only part of the equation. Electricity is the other part. In fact, it could be argued that a diesel train could be referred to as an electrical train.
A diesel train works by producing incredible horsepower. In fact, whereas most cars have an engine with, perhaps, 200 horsepower.