Genset locomotive

Aspects of gensets

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