Anonymous asked:
May I please request a breakdown of "diesel", "electric", and "diesel electric" engines I have no fucking idea how a "diesel electric" anything would work
amtrak-official answered:
Diesel train - a train powered by a diesel internal combustion engine
Electric train - a train powered by electricity, usually from either over head wires or a 3rd rail
Diesel Electric - a train that can switch between both being a diesel and an electric train, useful for routes where a train goes between electrified tracks and non electric tracks
A diesel electric locomotive is actually a locomotive that uses a diesel engine to power an alternator that then supplies power to the traction motors in the wheels. This lets it take advantage of the efficiency and constant torque of an electric motor without needing batteries (because batteries are and always will be stupid on a locomotive) and gets rid of the hassles of having a transmission for an engine that size (they’re fucking huge).
What you’re describing I believe is actually referred to as a dual-mode diesel electric locomotive.
Yeah thanks, I get those 2 mixed up for obvious reasons
