EFFICIENCY OF DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES

The efficiency of the steam locomotive has been given as 11 percent and that of the electric locomotive as about 20 percent. Neither value compares favorably with the 28 percent estimated for diesel locomotives, the ratios being 1.82 for electric/steam, 1.4 for diesel/electric, and 2.55 for diesel steam traction. On the score of fuel comsumption the diesel engines are not so much better than electric locomotives. For example, when pulling a 350-ton train at 70 mph on the level, the electric locomotive must develop some 900 hp at the wheels, compared with 1,100 hp required from the heaviest diesel-electric locomotive, so that the ratios of efficiencies will be only 1.145 whilst parity will be attained at 70 mph with a trailing load of about 175 t. also on the level.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Authors:
  • KOFFMAN, J L
• Publication Date: 1952-4-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 402-406
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 96

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diesel locomotives; Economic efficiency; Electric locomotives; Locomotives; Motors; Steam locomotives; Technology; Transmissions
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Economics; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039604
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM