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[Leon Silverman]

The most efficient engine has to be the true diesel-electric hybrid, the Yard Goat, which utilizes storage batteries charged from a small prime-mover diesel and regenerative braking.  Regenerative braking  charges up the batteries by turning the electric motor into a generator when the brakes are applied instead of dissapating the heat to the atmosphere that normal brakes or locomotive dynamic brakes do. The higher effiency comes from utilizing a smaller engine running at a constant speed in its most efficient operating range and avoiding the extra fuel consumption brought about by the need for an accelerator pump.  The battery pack provides the load adjustment. 

[ndbprr]

Well the obvious answer is the diesel electric.  Now if you want to tie down a specific application see what the railroads use.  They are a business concerned only with operating efficiency and would jump in a heartbeat to anything better.  Seems to me they did that when the diesel became practical.  And CR got out of the electric business when diesels proved a better solution. 

[CMSTPP]

The Milwaukee road Electrics and other electrics are some of the most effecient!!

 

James

[mackb4]

 A slug unit.Because it uses no fuel,and only produces power by using another engines power and fuel.

[DSchmitt]

test

[tomikawaTT]

QUOTE: Originally posted by geeps

I think they need to make Hybrid locomotive. What do you think?

I think Diesel-Electric is the definition of hybrid...

Actually, Green Goat is the definition of hybrid - and probably the most (fuel) efficient locomotive available today.  If they can work out how to absorb regenerative braking to charge the on-board batteries, they could be even more efficient.

Chuck

[MStLfan]

Diesel-electrics are not hybrids, an electric motor drive is the only method practicable at those horsepower ranges.  Large open-pit mining equipment is also diesel-electric, straight mechanical drives won't work.  Imagine how many clutches would be burned out over the course of a day.

I am not sure what horsepower ranges you are talking about Paul but don't count these diesel hydraulics from Vossloh locomotives, Kiel, Germany, out at 2700 kW:

http://www.loks-aus-kiel.de/index.php?nav=1400732

greetings,

Marc Immeker

[espeefoamer]

Unfortunately that webpage is in German.Is there an English version available?

[railhead photographer]

What do you mean by hy-bred. Diesel electric locomotives carry thier own generator sets. once you incorperate this into your loco the need for all that catenary and wire is redundant. The advantage of electric locomotives is mostly in acceleration capabilities and point sorce pollution control. Diesels are limited in howfast they can accelerate by the ultimate peak output of the prime mover (the diesel engine) where electrics have an almost unlimited sorce at the wire. This is abig advantage in high density systems such as commuter roads. Once you get the train moving the power requirements are comparativly minimal. There is also the advantage of regenerative braking where electrics can send power back upto the wire where diesels use dynamics is just wasted heat. but this is only worthwhile in mountain districs which gennerally lack the kind of traffic density needed to justify the construction and mantinance headaches of catinary. The book When the Steam Railroads Electrifed goes a long way in explaining all of this. There is a reason diesels became so popular.

[blade]

i would have to say that since laws require trains with fewer emissions which is good for the enviorment and also to human biengs,i would have to pick the green goat.i belive it is a hybrid locomotive.