Railways have provided us with an irreplaceable of means of transport for much of recent history. Passengers and good alike rely on this method of overland conveyance. Locomotive engines are the integral aspect of these trains, for they are what creates and transfers the necessary energy for moving the train from place to place. The diesel-electric type is currently the most common of several that have been used over the years.
In the past steam locomotives were common. They would generate heat by burning oil or coal and the heat would then be used to water into steam. In turn, the steam would drive the pistons that were connected by way of drive rods to the wheels. High maintenance costs and the fact that it would often require much time and distance to generate any kind of speed were the downside of steam.
The electric type of locomotive uses electricity from an outside source. This comes from being connected to a wire above the train or a third rail next to the tracks. The electricity from these sources is then used by the electric motors to turn the wheels directly and provide the necessary impetus for moving the train. They can be fast, powerful and long-lasting but it can also be costly and difficult to maintain the power sources.
The diesel torque converter uses an internal combustion engine for the generation of energy. A torque converter, also known as a clutch, connects the engine to the drive wheels, providing the necessary force for moving the train. Clutches can be unreliable at times and failure at remote locations can be a huge problem.
The turbine-electric variety is quite rare. This kind uses some type of burned oil to produce steam that is passed through a turbine. The turbine then rotates at very high velocities to generate electricity to drive the traction motors that are located on the wheels. Although very powerful, they are also expensive to operate and maintain with a high usage of fuel.
The most common variety in use today is the diesel-electric locomotive. This is a type of hybrid in that an electrical generator is driven by a diesel engine. The electricity is then used by the traction motors to drive the wheels and create movement. Due to a number of advantages it is the most widely-used kind in the world today.
Unlike steam locomotives, diesel-electric ones do not require a lot of costly maintenance and they can be both started and shut down very quickly. They do not need an outside power that requires more cost and maintenance as do the straight electrical variety. The risk of burning out a clutch is non-existent, which is a distinct advantage compared the torque converter locomotive. Although they tend to be less powerful than the turbine-electric ones, they are sufficiently powerful in their own right and are much more cost-efficient.
It's always good to weigh the advantages and disadvantages when deciding on which type of something one will use. It's clear that of the types of locomotive engines mentioned above, the diesel-electric one comes out ahead and is thus used most commonly.
In the past steam locomotives were common. They would generate heat by burning oil or coal and the heat would then be used to water into steam. In turn, the steam would drive the pistons that were connected by way of drive rods to the wheels. High maintenance costs and the fact that it would often require much time and distance to generate any kind of speed were the downside of steam.
The electric type of locomotive uses electricity from an outside source. This comes from being connected to a wire above the train or a third rail next to the tracks. The electricity from these sources is then used by the electric motors to turn the wheels directly and provide the necessary impetus for moving the train. They can be fast, powerful and long-lasting but it can also be costly and difficult to maintain the power sources.
The diesel torque converter uses an internal combustion engine for the generation of energy. A torque converter, also known as a clutch, connects the engine to the drive wheels, providing the necessary force for moving the train. Clutches can be unreliable at times and failure at remote locations can be a huge problem.
The turbine-electric variety is quite rare. This kind uses some type of burned oil to produce steam that is passed through a turbine. The turbine then rotates at very high velocities to generate electricity to drive the traction motors that are located on the wheels. Although very powerful, they are also expensive to operate and maintain with a high usage of fuel.
The most common variety in use today is the diesel-electric locomotive. This is a type of hybrid in that an electrical generator is driven by a diesel engine. The electricity is then used by the traction motors to drive the wheels and create movement. Due to a number of advantages it is the most widely-used kind in the world today.
Unlike steam locomotives, diesel-electric ones do not require a lot of costly maintenance and they can be both started and shut down very quickly. They do not need an outside power that requires more cost and maintenance as do the straight electrical variety. The risk of burning out a clutch is non-existent, which is a distinct advantage compared the torque converter locomotive. Although they tend to be less powerful than the turbine-electric ones, they are sufficiently powerful in their own right and are much more cost-efficient.
It's always good to weigh the advantages and disadvantages when deciding on which type of something one will use. It's clear that of the types of locomotive engines mentioned above, the diesel-electric one comes out ahead and is thus used most commonly.
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