A distillate engine uses spark plugs for ignition, so in that regard it is different from a diesel engine. I'm not sure how it burned a lower grade of fuel but there may be somebody out there who can provide the answer.
M10000 was the first streamliner and the trainset was articulated. There were two traction motors mounted on the lead truck. This arrangement was fairly conventional even at that time and was similar to that on motor cars.
Winton was the pioneer in developing distillate engines. "Distillate" refers to the middle grades of the petroleum cracking process -- in modern terms a range including very low grade gasoline thru kerosene and Jet "A". A Winton engine used multiple spark plugs and very high spark voltages to get this stuff burning.
Winton was acquired by GM and for some time was run as a seperate division of the company mostly producing diesels.
Are you certain that only two axles were powered, only the lead truck? I thought both the lead truck and the truck at the first articulation joint were powered, but perhaps I need to be corrected on this point.
This link has a lot of particulars for UP's early streamliners: http://utahrails.net/all-time/all-time-16.php#m-10000
M-10000 had only one powered truck but the others did have a B-B wheel arrangement.
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