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Note how almost every diesel locomotive has electrical generators and motors as an intermediate step because they decided that it's cheaper, more efficient, and
by nayuki 4y ago
Note how almost every diesel locomotive has electrical generators and motors as an intermediate step because they decided that it's cheaper, more efficient, and/or lighter than having a huge gearbox. Electrification has some real advantages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel%E2%80%93electric_powertrain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel%E2%80%93electric_powert...
- rootusrootus 4y agoEfficiency is important, but I'd bet the diesel electric design was mostly about simplification of the drivetrain and performance. An electric motor develops maximum torque at zero RPM and is very easy to modulate the amount of torque applied. A reciprocating engine has a minimum speed, so getting an extremely heavy train moving from a dead stop is tricky. Remember how old steam locomotives tend to spin the wheels regularly as they get up to speed.