Electric Locomotive Types
An electric locomotive can be supplied with power from
- Rechargeable energy storage systems, as battery or ultracapacitor-powered mining locomotives.
- A stationary source, such as a third rail or overhead wire.
This is in marked contrast to a diesel-electric locomotive, which combines an onboard diesel engine with an electrical power transmission or store (battery, ultracapacitor) system.
The distinguishing design features of electric locomotives are:
- The type of electrical power used, either alternating current or direct current.
- The method for store (batteries, ultracapacitors) or collecting (transmission) electrical power.
- The means used to mechanically couple the traction motors to the driving wheels (drivers).
Read more about this topic: Electric Rail Transport
Famous quotes containing the words electric, locomotive and/or types:
“Wisdom is like electricity. There is no permanently wise man, but men capable of wisdom, who, being put into certain company, or other favorable conditions, become wise for a short time, as glasses rubbed acquire electric power for a while.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“A bill... is the most extraordinary locomotive engine that the genius of man ever produced. It would keep on running during the longest lifetime, without ever once stopping of its own accord.”
—Charles Dickens (1812–1870)
“If there is nothing new on the earth, still the traveler always has a resource in the skies. They are constantly turning a new page to view. The wind sets the types on this blue ground, and the inquiring may always read a new truth there.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)