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."
Aspects of gensets
A genset uses one to three small diesel engines to provide power. An operator is able to activate each engine as needed, with multi-engine gensets activating one for light work and more for heavier work, with excess engines turned off when the extra power is not needed.
Advantages
- 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.
Disadvantages
- 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.
Table of produced gensets
See also
References
External links