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Hi.
I know this is a dumb question but can someone describe to me what a genset locomotive is and what makes them different from other locos? I keep hearing the term and I’m not sure what they are.
Thanks in advance.
Lee
it is a hybrid car, but a train.
these locomotives use generators (powered by a diesel engine) to charge HUGE batteries that run electric motors that turn the wheels. most of the time the power is coming from those batteries, which makes them different. regular locos are powered by a diesel engine that powers a generator that moves the electric motors directly. no battery storage. ‘gen’ comes from these generators. when the large amounts of power is needed, the diesel engines fire up and help the electric motors for more power. i havent read much about these locomotives being used on the road, but many firms are using them in the yard. MR published an article some time ago about the most famous hybrid, the Green Goat. hope this answers your questions.
AK
p.s. no question is a stuipd one
Thanks
Do they have more than one engine? Or (Genset)?
Lee
Lee,
There have been several stages of what is loosely called a ‘Gen Set’ engine. IIRC, there was series known as the ‘Green Goat’ that had ‘lots’ of batteries and a very small package diesel/alternator set to charge the batteries. Speed/running time was limited, but it was very good for many of the ‘spot a car/sit for hours’ operations.
The current crop usually has 2 or 3 skid mounted diesel/alternator sets that charge a small set of batteries. The ‘Generator Sets’ power up and down according to the load. This is very similar to the ‘hybrid’ vehicles we are seeing on the highways. These usually have a 1500-2000 hp and can be used for locals out on the mainline. The big selling points are reduced fuel/emission output.
EMD has just offered a ‘re-engine’ option for older GP’s that uses a 2200 hp 710 series V8 and meets the current Tier II/III emission levels. This engine is basically 1/2 of the current 16 cylinder SD70ACe. EMD offering this option indicates that they are taking the Gen Set challenge seriously, and I wonder if GE will be offering a V6 or V8 version of the V12 GEVO power plant in the future. They have been developing a ‘hybrid’ GEVO for the past several years.
Time will tell if Gen Set engines really catch on. As some have pointed out, there are 2-3 times as many replaceable/serviceable parts in these locomotives and as they age, service may become an issue.
Jim Bernier
I believe UP, BNSF have several each, I think there’s one other railroad that has them. They are yard goats (engines). I think they use propane or natural gas not diesel to power the generators.
My understanding is that basically a genset locomotive is a modular diesel-electric system, so that you have 2 or 3 diesel-generator sets per locomotive and the diesel engines can be turned on or shut off depending on load. Some genset locomotives are also battery-electric hybrids, but it seems that not all of them are.
Green Goats look similar, but only have one diesel engine and are all hybrids
There are also the MP1500D/MP2000D/GP15D/GP20D locomotives that look similar, but are conventional switcher locomotives.
There’s a lot of information at http://www.trainweb.org/gensets/index.html
Jim
Veeeery interesting. I’m not sure how the multi engines would work out but you can see how one small engine idleing would save fuel while waiting for work.
Happy railroading. [:D]
Lee
The spotter’s clue to whether a specific switcher is a genset is that there will be several (usually three) exhaust stacks, spaced along the length of the hood.
The ‘Half-a-4400HP’ engine is not a genset. Neither is the small engine plus lotsa batteries ‘Green Goat.’
A Genset loco has several separate engine packages, not a single monster prime mover. The engines cut in or out as needed, so a locomotive running light will have one engine running and two shut down. If a long, heavy cut has to be started and moved, all three engines will be roaring at full throttle. If the loco is parked, all the engines will be shut down to save fuel.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)