An Electro-diesel locomotive (also referred to as dual-mode locomotive) is powered either from an electricity supply (like an electric locomotive) or by using the onboard diesel engine (like a diesel-electric locomotive). For the most part, these locomotives are built to serve regional, niche markets with a very specific purpose.
Electro-diesel locomotives should not be confused with the far more common Diesel-electric locomotive, which use a diesel engine to power electric motors, which in turn power the wheels; in this type of locomotive, the diesel engine and electric motors operate simultaneously.
Contents |
Overview
An electro-diesel locomotive may be designed mainly for electric use (e.g. British Rail Class 73) or mainly for diesel use (e.g. EMD FL9). In the first case the diesel engine is small and is intended only for low-speed operation. In the second case the diesel engine is large enough for high-speed use.
Europe
France
Bombardier has built dual-mode variants of its AGC series for the French operator SNCF; the electricity is collected by means of a pantograph.
- B 81500 – multiple unit trains using 1.5 kV DC catenary, in service since 2005
- B 82500 – multiple unit trains using both 1.5 kV DC and 25 kV AC catenary, currently still being built
Russia
In Russia, a number of electro-diesels were built which had both pantographs and diesel motors; these locomotives were actually multiple-units, with distinct electric, diesel, and motor sections. These included:
- ED16 (ЭД16), ED18 (ЭД18), and TEU1 (ТЭУ1) narrow gauge models
- OPE1 (ОПЭ1), OPE2 (ОПЭ2), NP1 (НП1), PE2(M) (РЭ2(М)), and EL20 standard-gauge locomotives used mostly in quarries
Spain
- FEVE 1.900 Series, 1500 V DC overhead wires. This series is a rebuild of FEVE 1.000 Series locomotive.
- CAF Bitrac 3600, 3000 V DC overhead wires. October 2007 order for 9 freight Co-Co locomotives. Available in Bo-Bo and Co-Co wheel configuration, 1435mm or 1668mm gauge, and as freight or passenger versions of 120kph and 180kph maximum speeds respectively.
Switzerland
- RhB Gem 4/4, 1000 V DC overhead wires (Bernina railway)
United Kingdom
An experimental electro-diesel locomotive, DEL120, was built by London Underground in 1940 but was not a success. Only two other types have been built. In both cases, their electricity source was a 750 V DC third rail.
- British Rail Class 73, dating from 1962 – the more successful design, with some still in regular use. They have lower power output in the diesel mode.
- British Rail Class 74 – rebuilt from British Rail Class 71 electric locomotives in 1967 and withdrawn by 1977.
North America
United States
In the US, three dual-mode locomotive types have been built. These operate off a 750 V DC third rail in electric-only mode. The primary function for these models is to provide a one-seat ride between diesel territory and the New York City terminals of Grand Central Terminal and New York Penn Station, which have ordinances prohibiting locomotives from emitting smoke within the tunnels. See Metro-North Railroad.
- EMD FL9 – primarily diesel-electric, third-rail electric mode for short-term use only; nearly (2006) retired from passenger service
- P32AC-DM – dual-mode version of the GE Genesis, electric mode only used for first four miles of travel.
- EMD DM30AC – specific to the Long Island Rail Road
A planned dual-mode locomotive for overhead supply is the Bombardier ALP-45DP.
Hybrid locomotive
- Main article: Hybrid locomotive
A specialized type of electro-diesel locomotive is the Hybrid locomotive. Here, the electricity comes from a battery (charged by the diesel engine) rather than an external supply. An example is the Green Goat switcher [1].
See also
- Biodiesel
- Global warming
- Three power locomotive
- Hitachi Super Express, a future train in the United Kingdom.
References
External links
- Pictures of the Russian OPE-1 locomotives
- Pictures of the Russian electro-diesels
- (Russian) Novocherkasskiy electric locomotive factory – Model OPE1
|
|||||
|
|||||
 |
This locomotive-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
