How diesel locomotive works: an engineer's explanation

 If you’re an engineer who designs locomotives, this article will give you an overview of how diesel locomotives work. I’ve broken down the process into seven distinct steps that describe the path that diesel locomotives take when they travel from point A to point B. Because there are so many different types of locomotives in use today, this article focuses on diesel-electric locomotives, which comprise the vast majority of locomotives found on passenger and freight railroads around the world.

Diesel Locomotive

Advantages

Diesel locomotives are some of the most powerful and efficient machines on the planet. They can haul massive loads day in and day out, with very little down time. And, they're relatively inexpensive to operate and maintain. Here's a look at how these amazing machines work.

The engine

A diesel locomotive engine is a type of internal combustion engine. The engine uses the heat of compression to ignite the fuel, which then burns to produce power. Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines and produce less pollution.

The transmission

In a diesel locomotive, the transmission is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. The transmission is made up of two parts: the gearbox and the differential. The gearbox is responsible for changing the gears, while the differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds.

How they run together

A diesel locomotive is powered by a diesel engine, which is quite different from the gasoline engine that powers your car. The engine runs on diesel fuel, which is injected into the cylinders under high pressure. The engine's pistons compress the air in the cylinders, and the resulting heat ignites the fuel. This process powers the locomotive's wheels and moves the train down the tracks.

Example of how a diesel locomotive works in action

Diesel locomotives work by using a diesel engine to power an electric generator. The electric generator then powers the electric motors that drive the wheels.

Locomotive parts

The Future

In the coming years, we're going to see more and more diesel locomotives on the rails. They're efficient, they're powerful, and they can haul a lot of weight. But how do they work? Let's take a look.