How does diesel locomotive work?

Question

indian railways

Answer 1

Most diesel locomotives are actually diesel/electric units.  A diesel engine which is called a prime mover is connected an electric generator.  On some it is a/c current and some it is d/c , this depends on the preference of the customer or railroad who is buying the locomotive.  The prime mover revs up and down depending on the power needs of he train.  The higher the revs the more electricity in being made.  Forward and reverse motion is achieved by reversing the polarity of the current being fed to the traction motors on each axle.   The typical locomotive will one traction motor per axle.  Hope this helps you out.  You may want to check General electrics or EMDs websites for further info.

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel-elec...

http://www.howstuffworks.com/diesel-loco...

Many times, diesel = diesel electric. A hybrid of diesel engine and electric motor.  See the first link.

good luck...

Answer 3

Works like an auto mobile, but much bigger and faster. It starts when fuel is added, then pressure from pushes the cylinder up and hits the spark plug which ignites the fuel and forces the cylinder down and the process repeats itself.

Answer 4

In the US (and I am certain India also) the diesel locomotive only drives a large generator, actually a large one and a smaller one.

The generator provides power to large electric motors mounted on each axle.

The actual propulsion is electric, they are not hybrid as the term is used in modern automotive terminology. The do not get any of their propulsion from batteries, as hybrid automobiles do.

They are straight electric locomotives that happen to carry their own power source.

It works quite well.

Answer 5

Rango right. they use the electric motor for drive (turning of the wheels) because a transmission would be torn apart by the force of the load when changing direction or slack action.