Evening guys,
Anybody have a suggestion regarding a place to find data on locomotive fuel consumption. I’m working on a project and would like to find a quotable source of data. Need something fairly recent. Any tips would be MUCH appreciated.
Thx
Do I assume you have already contacted EMD, GE, and DOT/FRA?
Keep in mind that there are two things involved here: the specific fuel consumption of the locomotive (curves at different power outputs, etc.) and the actual fuel consumption of locomotives when they operate in specific services, pulling real trains over real railroads. Note that these two aren’t at all the same! Can you tell us more precisely what your project involves…
Likewise, bear in mind that other considerations (most notably EPA requirements) have impact on fuel consumption (or other aspects of operation such as idling). The general consensus is that lower emission statistics translate into higher fuel consumption (and, presumably, the lower ppm of pollutants offsets the higher number of grams of pollutants emitted at the higher fuel consumption).
You might get AREMA to give you numbers on modern track resistance, etc. which would be involved in calculating point-to-point fuel economy for locomotives on trains. (Ask mudchicken et al. if they refuse to help you… ;-})
Methodologically, there was a pretty good study of locomotive fuel efficiency conducted (IIRC) on first-generation diesels. The assumptions and calculations used in this study would still be very applicable if you plugged in appropriate gph calculations for different locomotive throttle settings, modern train and track resistance numbers, etc. Unfortunately I cannot find the URL to direct you to, and probably won’t have time in the next few hours or days to figure out where I stored the thing on my computer – you might Google around and find it, and other members reading this may be able to direct you right to it, or to something better.
E Mail me off forum with a fax #, I’ll fax what I have on the 3000 hp EMD’s.
Randy
Al Krug’s website has extensive info on fuel consumption and lots of other great stuff too. Heres a link.
The loco makers in my opinion would be a great starting point.[:o)]
[quote]
Originally posted by dblstack
I would second Al Krug’s site as a good source of info of railroad Diesels at different throttle settings. For a more global analysis of energy usage of different transportation mode, also try http://cta.ornl.gov/data/index.shtml.
Age and condition of the engine are also a factor in fuel consumption. As an engine gets older, it starts using more fuel. Not to mention how well the engine is maintained, i.e. tuned up.
Ballpark fuel comsumption figures
The F7/GP9 era locomotives were figured at 2 gallons to the mile…their 1500 gallon tanks were good fror approximately 750 miles in normal road service.
The current generation CW44AC’s are ballparked at approximately 4.5 gallons per mile…their 5000 gallon tanks are rated to be good for 1100 miles.
The above figures are for locomotives that are running at near their maximum tonnage potential. Used in other services where 8th notch running time is reduced the economy becomes better.
Found my reference: in fact, have more than the original one (link in the original page) – look here –
http://www.lafn.org/~dave/trans/rail/index.html
The paper I mentioned is the one for 1937-1963. A couple of the others should prove interesting to you.
Note: You might want to correspond with the author via e-mail and have him assist in developing proper theoretical models for your project…
It is interesting to note from Al’s data that the GE C44-9 uses 16 gallons LESS fuel per hour to generate 4509 HP that a SD40 uses to generate 3000 HP.
C44-9 151.8 gal/hr for 4509 HP
SD40 167.7 gal/hr for 3000 HP
Thanks much for the data folks