What percentage of locomotives in the world are diesel-electric?

Question

Where I live on the Mesabi Iron range, all of the taconite and CN trains are diesel-electric. What else is there nowadays?

Answer 1

Burma is using Diesel-electric locomotive for their railways transport.

Because they have not enough electric power to supply along the railways truck.

Answer 2

100%

Answer 3

Probably around 70%.   Don't forget how many Electic powered locomotives are being used.    Steam locomotives are still being used as well for both regular usage and special excursions.

Answer 4

Most of the world utilizes diesel-electric or electric traction.

But, steam is still alive and well in China and Africa.  Modern steam engines are much improved over their forefathers, though they are still external combustion and still incorporate cylinders and side-rods or geared trucks.

The biggest improvement, at least to my way of thinking, is that most are a "condensing" steam engine, meaning a large part of the exhaust steam is captured and cooled, condensed back into water, and boiled again, being "recycled".  This cuts down on water consumption alleviating many problems with supply and frequent stops to take on more water.

There was talk some years ago of building a hybrid steam/diesel-electric.  The diesel-electrics have the advantage of higher starting tractive effort, while steam can accelerate and keep moving a greater amount of tonnage.

It was to be a condenser engine, micro-processor controlled and fueled by inserting pre-packaged 50 ton coal bins at service facilities.  It never got off the drawing board, but I think it is an idea whose time has arrived.

As far as world percentage is concerned, I'd be making a flat out guess that near 90% are either electric or diesel-electric.

Good question.  Thanks for asking..............................