Co-Authored By:
Similarly, a typical train might haul 3000 tonsof freight 500 miles and consume approximately 3185 gallons ofdiesel fuel.
Then, how much power does a diesel locomotive have?
The diesel engine makes 3,200 horsepower, and thegenerator can turn this into almost 4,700 amps of electricalcurrent. The four drive motors use this electricity to generateover 64,000 pounds of thrust. There is a completely separate V-12engine and generator to provide electrical power for therest of the train.
In this manner, how much does a diesel locomotive cost?
A diesellocomotive could cost from $500,000-$2 million. While anelectric locomotive could cost more than $6 million.Price depends on whether it is powered by AC or DC traction,how much horsepower it has, or what electronics it isequipped with.
Diesel locomotives first entered widespreaduse in the 1930s, and were meant to replace steam. They havean extremely large internal combustion engine powered by dieselfuel, which generates electricity to power a series of electricmotors that turn the wheels.