GE hybrid locomotives

[BNSF_GP60M]

It it true that GE has released prototype hybrid road locos? At locophotos.com, they said that 4 BNSF ES44DCH's were released.

[CShaveRR]

Over on the TrainOrders.com forum are photographs of a GE hybrid locomotive in a paint scheme of pastel green, blue, and white.  Looks like an early GEVO on the outside.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Railpower's problems with the batteries in the Green Goats leads me to wonder if GE has been aware of these problems and has come up with some viable solutions.  Railpower has changed its marketing orientation to gensets, with the Green Goat aimed at more specialized situations.

[erikem]

If I recall correctly, Railpower was using lead acid batteries in their Green Goats. Lead acid batteries have two main advantages (cheap and lotsa infrastructure for recycling), and a lot of disadvantages (sensitive to overcharging, don't like to be cycled too deeply or too often, the liquid electrolyte can be messy, power and energy density leaves something to be desired).

My understanding is that GE intends to use Lithium batteries (presumably not the fire-prone Li-ion) for better power and energy density. I've heard claims that some Li batteries can go through 1,000 charge/discharge cycles with only a small drop in capacity (compared to maybe 200 for a deep cycle lead acid battery). An Li battery 'pack' will require attention to charging conditions.

What I'd really like to see is a hybrid commuter locomotive - use the battery to give the loco the advantages of a straight electric (i.e. lots of short term acceleration power) and increase fuel efficiency by recycling some of the braking energy. 

[blade]

as far as ge releasing a prototype hybrid locomotives this i do not know,but thier website at

www.getransportation.com gives information on hybrid locomotives for frieght as well as passenger locomotives.

[carnej1]

 The picture online is actually a computer generated image. About 2 months ago TRAINS had a small article about the fact that GE hadn't started assembling the Hybrid prototype. The article implied that there were still significant engineering challenges. I know that one of the goals GE had was to use newer battery technology (not lead acid) and that increases the complexity.

[mj5890]

I really hope these engines become real, I really cant wait to see what GE's EVO pasenger unit will look like.

I was reading a GE fact sheet about their new hybrid

http://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=030820071036@/site/downloads/hybr/Hybrid_onepager_en.pdf

and on the 2nd page it said it would allow operators to draw an additional 2000 horsepower,  so I may be totaly stupid for thinking this but dose that mean that if you add the 2000 extra horse power from the batteries and the 4400 from the regular horsepower that this locomotive could have 6400 horse power

[Railfan1]

Thanks for the link.

[BNSF_GP60M]

I really hope these engines become real, I really cant wait to see what GE's EVO pasenger unit will look like.

I was reading a GE fact sheet about their new hybrid

http://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=030820071036@/site/downloads/hybr/Hybrid_onepager_en.pdf

and on the 2nd page it said it would allow operators to draw an additional 2000 horsepower,  so I may be totaly stupid for thinking this but dose that mean that if you add the 2000 extra horse power from the batteries and the 4400 from the regular horsepower that this locomotive could have 6400 horse power

Still wouldn't be as powerful as the DDA40X. And it would be nice to see the GEVO passenger unit.

[mj5890]

I really hope these engines become real, I really cant wait to see what GE's EVO pasenger unit will look like.

I was reading a GE fact sheet about their new hybrid

http://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=030820071036@/site/downloads/hybr/Hybrid_onepager_en.pdf

and on the 2nd page it said it would allow operators to draw an additional 2000 horsepower,  so I may be totaly stupid for thinking this but dose that mean that if you add the 2000 extra horse power from the batteries and the 4400 from the regular horsepower that this locomotive could have 6400 horse power

Still wouldn't be as powerful as the DDA40X. And it would be nice to see the GEVO passenger unit.

How much horse power did the DD40X's or DDA40X's have???

Also Iam I right that it could have 6400 horse power when drawing power from the batteries??

[carnej1]

 DD40AX had 6600 HP (from 2 16 cylinder 645's) through 2 eight axle trucks.

 The primary reason for the extra 2000 HP via the batteries is to enable the locomotive to operate at a lower throttle setting, thus saving fuel. Although the locomotive could, I imagine, put out 6400 HP for a short burst, the existing 6000 HP units have a reputation for being slippery. Also it is important to note that for slower speed drag service (Coal trains) the extra 1500-2000 HP is wasted.......................................

[SchemerBob]

It it true that GE has released prototype hybrid road locos?

Yes they have. If you follow this link,

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=11119&Page=1

there are some pictures. The Hybrid Evolution is the bright green and blue unit with the dark green leaf on the side. I am impressed at the paint job!

 

[Anonymous]

here is the snake peak from GE blog.

http://blogs.getransportation.com/evolutionblog/2007/05/sneak_peak_of_our_evolution_hybrid.html

http://blogs.getransportation.com/evolutionblog/


I saw it todday @ Union Station in Los Amgeles. It was unexpected and I was very lucky enough to found them while I was walking down to Union Station.I took some pics and movies. I'll show it to you later. They are here for 7days from today.

[Anonymous]

here is the video I took it today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vj5WoQ3fvU

[blade]

i belive there did a tour of california to show off the hybrid locomotives,you may if you like go to thier website at www.getransportation.com and read more about the hybrid locomotive.i did