Although commonly called diesels, the locomotives actually are electrically driven. The diesel engine drives an alternator, which produces electricity to run electric motors mounted on the locomotive's axles.
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Besides steam- and diesel-powered locomotives, many modern trains operate solely on electrical power. They get the electricity from a third rail, or electrical line, along the track. Transformers transfer the voltage from the lines, and the electrical current drives the motors (AC or DC) on the wheels.
Biodiesel & Renewable Fuels: Traditionally, locomotives have run on petroleum diesel fuel, but railroads are now using renewable diesel and biodiesel blends to power them.
When the electricity stopped, during the running on railway track, the all trains which is running with electric locomotives has stopped. The train will stopped until the power supply start.
No modern train uses a diesel engine to power their wheels directly. They're used as generators to power electric motors. So the only difference boils down to where the electricity comes from. And even in the most train-friendly countries like France and Japan, huge sections of the network are not electrified.
Trains in the UK are powered by a mix of electricity and diesel fuel. According to Network Rail, nearly half of the UK rail network is now electrified – with more than 30 per cent of the stock using a 'third rail' to power the train.
Electricity is generated by power stations in the form of high voltage alternating current (AC), but Underground trains operate using a Direct Current (DC) system.
DC motors are used on trains is because of their high torque and good speed control. Compared to AC motors, DC motors can provide industry applications with a fine balance of strong starting torque and controllable speed for seamless yet precise performance.
“On most of the approximately 500 routes in Germany that are currently served with diesel, [batteries are] the more efficient and cheaper solution,” Obst observed. “These are usually between 40 and 80km long, which you can easily travel with a battery train.”