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

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

  • 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

  • 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

N Year Country Manufacturer Model HP Engines Axels Gauge Link Remark K
003+2013IndiaBanaras Locomotive WorksWDM-2G2400 (3x800)B-B1676mmLKRKK
0052006United StatesNational Railway EquipmentNRE 3GS21B2100 (3x700)CumminsWH1435mmLKRKK
0102014South AfricaGrindrod LocomotivesML0710ESWH1067mm
1000 mm
LKRKK
0202010United StatesRailserve LeafML1200 (2x600)Cummins
QSX15-L3
B-B1435 mmLKRKK
030201?United StatesMotivePowerMPI MP14B1400 (2x700)Cummins
QSK19C
B-B1435 mmLKRKK
0402007United StatesRailpower TechnologiesRailpower RP14BD1530 (2x765)Deutz
BD2015
WH1435 mmLKRKK
0422004United StatesRailpower TechnologiesRailpower GG20B
Greengoat
300;
2000 using supplemental battery
Caterpillar C9B-B1435 mmLKOnly genset
with large battery for extra power
K
050201?United StatesProgress RailProgress Rail PR43C4300 (1x3600 +
1x700)
.
Caterpillar
C175
C18
C-C1435 mmLKRKK
10020??United StatesBrookville Brookville BL20CG2100 (3x700)CumminsB-B1435 mmLKRKK
20020??United StatesNational Railway EquipmentNRE 2GS16B-AU1400 (2x700)CumminsB-B1435 mmLKRKK
3002013GermanyBombardier TransportationTraxx
DE Multi-Engine
2880 (4x720)ESWH1435 mmLKRKK

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "What is a Genset locomotive?". Railserve Leaf. Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Lustig, David (February 20, 2023). "The controversial Genset locomotive". Trains. Archived from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  3. "N-Viromotive new locomotive". www.nationalrailway.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01.
  4. "Locomotives". nre.com. National Railway Equipment Company. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Technology - Genset". up.com. Union Pacific Railroad. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  6. DeBruler, Dennis (March 21, 2017). "Gensets are already dead". Industrial History. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
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