Genset locomotive
A genset locomotive is a locomotive in which a number of smaller diesel engines are used rather than a single large engine. The term is short for "generator set."[1]
Aspects of gensets[edit]
A genset uses one to three small diesel engines to provide power. An operator is able to activate each engine as needed, with more than one engine gensets activating one for light work and activating more for heavier work, with excess engines turned off when the extra power is not needed.[1]
Advantages[edit]
- More efficient design.
- Longer service life.
- Fuel savings.
- Ultra-low emissions.
- Improved wheel to rail adhesion capability.
- With multiple engine gensets, should one genset engine fail, the others can keep the train going, albeit at reduced speed.
- Removing a genset engine requires smaller size crane, while a larger crane is required to remove a traditional diesel prime mover.[1][2][3][4][5]
Disadvantages[edit]
- More complex design.
- Greater capital cost.
- Greater deadweight.
- More engines, and the engines and generators do not use standard parts, reducing reliability.
- Multiple smaller truck type engines which lack the hardiness of a single large railroad type prime mover.
- Engineers do not like them because they are slow to get a cut of cars moving.[2][6][5]
Table of produced gensets[edit]
 | This section is missing information about the meaning of the Table's categories: 'N', 'Link' ('LK'), 'Remark' ('RK'), and 'K', as well as meaning of 'ML' Model, 'ES' Engine, and 'WH' Axels. (February 2023) |
 |
| N | Year | Country | Manufacturer | Model | HP | Engines | Axels | Gauge | Link | Remark | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003+ | 2013 | India | Banaras Locomotive Works | WDM-2G | 2400 (3x800) | B-B | 1676mm | LK | RK | K | |
| 005 | 2006 | United States | National Railway Equipment | NRE 3GS21B | 2100 (3x700) | Cummins | WH | 1435mm | LK | RK | K |
| 010 | 2014 | South Africa | Grindrod Locomotives | ML | 0710 | ES | WH | 1067mm 1000 mm |
LK | RK | K |
| 020 | 2010 | United States | Railserve Leaf | ML | 1200 (2x600) | Cummins QSX15-L3 |
B-B | 1435 mm | LK | RK | K |
| 030 | 201? | United States | MotivePower | MPI MP14B | 1400 (2x700) | Cummins QSK19C |
B-B | 1435 mm | LK | RK | K |
| 040 | 2007 | United States | Railpower Technologies | Railpower RP14BD | 1530 (2x765) | Deutz BD2015 |
WH | 1435 mm | LK | RK | K |
| 042 | 2004 | United States | Railpower Technologies | Railpower GG20B Greengoat |
300; 2000 using supplemental battery |
Caterpillar C9 | B-B | 1435 mm | LK | Only genset with large battery for extra power |
K |
| 050 | 201? | United States | Progress Rail | Progress Rail PR43C | 4300 (1x3600 + 1x700) |
. Caterpillar C175 C18 |
C-C | 1435 mm | LK | RK | K |
| 100 | 20?? | United States | Brookville | Brookville BL20CG | 2100 (3x700) | Cummins | B-B | 1435 mm | LK | RK | K |
| 200 | 20?? | United States | National Railway Equipment | NRE 2GS16B-AU | 1400 (2x700) | Cummins | B-B | 1435 mm | LK | RK | K |
| 300 | 2013 | Germany | Bombardier Transportation | Traxx DE Multi-Engine |
2880 (4x720) | ES | WH | 1435 mm | LK | RK | K |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "What is a Genset locomotive?". Railserve Leaf. Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Lustig, David (February 20, 2023). "The controversial Genset locomotive". Trains. Archived from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "N-Viromotive new locomotive". www.nationalrailway.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01.
- ^ "Locomotives". nre.com. National Railway Equipment Company. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Technology - Genset". up.com. Union Pacific Railroad. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ DeBruler, Dennis (March 21, 2017). "Gensets are already dead". Industrial History. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 28 February 2023.