CE 515 Railroad Engineering Rolling Stock: Locomotive Source: Armstrong Ch 4 AREMA Ch. 2.6 “Transportation exists to conquer space and time -”

What is a Locomotive? A Vehicle which Provides the Motive Power to the Train Almost All Trains Use One or More

Types of Locomotives Steam Diesel-Electric Electric Hybrid This Discussion will Focus on Diesel-Electric

Tractive Effort The ability to Overcome Resistance – Starting – Grade – Wind – Curve – Rolling Is Discussed Further in REES #3

Tractive Effort

Adhesion Control Grip Rail without Slipping Dependant on weather, rail conditions Controlled automatically in modern locomotive Sanding

Power to Pull Train Not all Engine Power Pulls Train Powering Auxiliary Devices, Efficiency Losses, Pulling Locomotive Itself On Average, 82% of Power Left to Pull Train

Locomotives Today Used Today on Class I – Endcab Switcher (5%) – Four-Axle Road Switcher (20%) – Six Axle Medium Horsepower Road Switcher (15%) – High Horsepower Six- Axle Road Switcher (55%)

Prime Mover (Engine) V-8 to V-20 Diesel Engine Idle at 300 rpm, Full Power rpm Alternator Converts into Electrical Energy for Traction – AC produced, converted to DC (and converted back for AC)

What Locomotive Carries Engine Cooling Water: 325 gallons Engine Lube Oil: 450 gallons Diesel Fuel: 5000 gallons Sand: 1.5 tons

Traction Power System DC is used for 80% of Fleet What Actually Drives the Wheels Since 1990’s AC is Gaining Ground AC Offers Greater Power – However, Most Have Gone Back to Regular Power – Used Mainly in Heavy Haul

Emissions 1998-EPA Issues Final Emission Standards – Applies to Newly Manufactured and Remanufactured Locomotives After January 1, 1973 Tier Based on Manufacture Date Plus Tiers for Remanufacture

Locomotive Controls Minimum Levers, but Connected to Circuitry “Microprocessor” Control Display Screens Interfaces with Primary Operator

Four vs. Six Axles Why Have 6 Axles when 4 can Haul More Tonnage? – Adhesion at Higher Speeds and Grades – Starting up?

Maintenance and Life Span Most New Locomotives can Self-Diagnose Problems Different Inspections Mandatory at Daily, 92- days, Annual, and Biennial Periods Remote Diagnostics Average Locomotive Service is Years Used to be Returned to Manufacturer, but Now Sold to Smaller Railroads

Videos / Websites How Diesel-Electric Locomotive Works: Modern Marvels: Freight Trains (go to 5:00 for Sand Operations) (Evan Vencil): ted ted (Nicole Oneyear) (Ben Hucker) gStock.aspx?ipp=12&cat=All&comp=All (Na Ning) gStock.aspx?ipp=12&cat=All&comp=All