-
8/11/2019 How Diesel Locomotives Work
1/3
How Diesel Locomotives Work
The hybrid diesel locomotive is an incredible display of power
and ingenuity. It combines some
great mechanical technology, including a huge,
12-cylinder,two-stroke diesel engine,with some
heavy dutyelectric motorsand generators, throwing in a little
bit of computer technology forgood measure.
This 270,000-pound (122,470-kg) locomotive is designed to tow
passenger-train cars at speedsof up to 110 miles per hour (177
kph). The diesel engine makes 3,200horsepower,and the
generator can turn this into almost 4,700 amps of electrical
current. The four drive motors use
this electricity to generate over 64,000 pounds of thrust. There
is a completely separate V-12engine and generator to provide
electrical power for the rest of the train. This generator is
called
the head-end power unit. The one on this train can make over 560
kilowatts (kW) of electrical
power.
This combination of diesel engine and electric generators and
motors makes the locomotive ahybrid vehicle.In this article, we'll
start by learning why locomotives are built this way and why
they have steel wheels. Then we'll take a look at the layout and
key components.
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotiveis a type ofrailwaylocomotivein which
theprime moveris
adiesel engine.Several types of diesel locomotive have been
developed,
differing mainly in the means by which mechanical power is
conDiesels
advantages over steam
Diesel engines slowly eclipsed those powered by steam as the
manufacturing and operationalefficiencies of the former made them
cheaper to own and operate. While initial costs of diesel
engines were high,steam locomotiveswere custom-made for specific
railway routes and lines
and, as such, economies of scale were difficult to
achieve.[31]
Though more complex to produce
with exacting manufacturing tolerances (110000-inch (0.0025 mm)
for diesel, compared with
1100-
inch (0.25 mm) for steam), diesel locomotive parts were more
conducive to mass production.
While the steam engine manufacturerBaldwinoffered almost five
hundred steam models in its
heyday,EMDoffered fewer than ten diesel varieties.[32]
Diesel locomotives offer significant operating advantages over
steam locomotives.
[33]
They cansafely be operated by one person, making them ideal for
switching/shunting duties in yards(although for safety reasons many
main-line diesel locomotives continue to have 2-man crews:
an engineer and a conductor/switchman) and the operating
environment is much more attractive,
being much quieter, fully weatherproof and without the dirt and
heat that is an inevitable part of
operating a steam locomotive. Diesel locomotives can be workedin
multiplewith a single crewcontrolling multiple locomotives
throughout a single trainsomething not practical with steam
locomotives. This brought greater efficiencies to the operator,
as individual locomotives could be
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel-two-stroke.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel-two-stroke.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel-two-stroke.htmhttp://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor.htmhttp://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor.htmhttp://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railwayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_mover_%28locomotive%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_mover_%28locomotive%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_mover_%28locomotive%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199810-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199810-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199810-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Locomotive_Workshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Locomotive_Workshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Locomotive_Workshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Motive_Dieselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Motive_Dieselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Motive_Dieselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199819-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199819-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199819-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_workinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_workinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_workinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_workinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199819-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Motive_Dieselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Locomotive_Workshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199810-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_mover_%28locomotive%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railwayhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htmhttp://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel-two-stroke.htm
-
8/11/2019 How Diesel Locomotives Work
2/3
relatively low-powered for use as a single unit on light duties
but marshaled together to provide
the power needed on a heavy train still under the control of a
single crew. With steam traction a
single very powerful and expensive locomotive was required for
the heaviest trains or the
operator resorted todouble headingwith multiple locomotives and
crews, a method which wasalso expensive and brought with it its own
operating difficulties.
Diesel engines can be started and stopped almost instantly,
meaning that a diesel locomotive has
the potential to incur no costs when not being used. However, it
is still the practice of large North
American railroads to use straight water as a coolant in diesel
engines instead of coolants thatincorporate anti-freezing
properties; this results in diesel locomotives being left idling
when
parked in cold climates instead of being completely shut down.
Still, a diesel engine can be left
idling unattended for hours or even days, especially since
practically every diesel engine used in
locomotives has systems that automatically shut the engine down
if problems such as a loss of oilpressure or coolant loss occur. In
recent years, automatic start/stop systems such as SmartStart
have been adopted, which monitor coolant and engine
temperatures. When these temperatures
show that the unit is close to having its coolant freeze, the
system restarts the diesel engine to
warm the coolant and other systems.
[34]
Steam locomotives, by comparison, require intensive maintenance,
lubrication, and cleaning
before, during, and after use. Preparing and firing a steam
locomotive for use from cold can takemany hours, although it may be
kept in readiness between uses with a smallfireto maintain a
slight heat in theboiler,but this requires regularstokingand
frequent attention to maintain the
level of water in the boiler. This may be necessary to prevent
the water in the boiler freezing incold climates, so long as the
water supply itself is not frozen.
Moreover, maintenance and operational costs of steam locomotives
were much higher thandiesel counterparts even though it took diesel
locomotives almost 50 years to reach the same
power output that steam locomotives could achieve at their
technological height.
[citation needed]
Annual maintenance costs for steam locomotives accounted for 25%
of the initial purchase price.Spare parts were cast from wooden
masters for specific locomotives. The sheer number of
unique steam locomotives meant that there was no feasible way
for spare-part inventories to be
maintained.[35]
With diesel locomotives spare parts could be mass-produced and
held in stockready for use and many parts and sub-assemblies could
be standardised across an operator's fleet
using different models of locomotive from the same builder.
Parts could be interchanged
between diesel locomotives of the same or similar design,
reducing down-time; for example, a
locomotive's faulty prime mover may be removed and quickly
replaced with another spare unit,allowing the locomotive to return
to service whilst the original prime mover is repaired (and
which can in turn be held in reserve to be fitted to another
locomotive). Repair or overhaul of the
main workings of a steam locomotive required the locomotive to
be out of service for as long as
it took for the work to be carried out in full.
Steam engines also required large quantities of coal and water,
which were expensive variable
operating costs.[36]
Further, thethermal efficiencyof steam was considerably less
than that ofdiesel engines. Diesels theoretical studies
demonstrated potential thermal efficiencies for a
compression ignition engine of 36% (compared with 610% for
steam), and an 1897 one-
cylinder prototype operated at a remarkable 26%
efficiency.[37]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_headinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_headinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_headinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boilerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boilerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boilerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stoking&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stoking&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stoking&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199812-17-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199812-17-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199812-17-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_efficiencyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_efficiencyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_efficiencyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199814-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199814-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199814-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199814-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_efficiencyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-FOOTNOTEChurella199812-17-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stoking&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boilerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_heading
-
8/11/2019 How Diesel Locomotives Work
3/3
However, one study published in 1959 suggested that many of the
comparisons between diesel
and steam locomotives were made unfairly mostly because diesels
were newer. After painstaking
analysis of financial records and technological progress, the
author found that if research had
continued on steam technology instead of diesel, there would be
negligible financial benefit inconverting to diesel locomotion.
[38]
By the mid-1960s, diesel locomotives had effectively
replacedsteam locomotiveswhere electric
traction was not in use.[36]
Attempts to developAdvanced steam technologycontinue in the
21st
century but have not made a significant impact
veyed to the driving wheels
Locomotive and Diesel Engine
Parts
Since 1989, HEI has been supplying EMD, G.E., and ALCO diesel
engines and parts
to domestic and international locomotive, rail, marine
propulsion and power generation
industries. HEI reclaims locomotives for their components,
offering the rebuilder and end-user a wide range of Running Take
Out (RTO) Diesel engines and Locomotive Components
such as, main generators, main alternators, auxiliary
generators, cooling fans, electrical
components, air compressors, air brake parts, EQ racks, traction
motor combos and muchmore.
HEI offers an extensive line of locomotive components, diesel
engines, and diesel engine
components. The listing below contains some of the major
component categories for whichHEI can provide coverage. Whatever
your locomotive need, call Hilliard for the best inservice and
value.
Locomotive Components Engines and Components Axles Complete
Engines Traction Motors Cases and Pans Couplers and Draft Gears
Crankshafts Air Brake Components Power Assemblies Electrical
Cabinet Components Turbochargers Main Generators Roots Blowers Main
Alternators Aftercooler Duct Assemblies Air Compressors Governors
Dynamic Brake Hatches Lube Oil Pumps Cooling Fans Water Pumps Horns
and Bells Camshafts
Injectors
(drivers).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_steam_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_steam_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_steam_technologyhttp://www.hilliardenterprises.com/index.php/partshttp://www.hilliardenterprises.com/index.php/partshttp://www.hilliardenterprises.com/index.php/partshttp://www.hilliardenterprises.com/index.php/partshttp://www.hilliardenterprises.com/index.php/partshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_steam_technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-Stover_213-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#cite_note-38
