What replaced steam engines?

It wasn't until 1940 that the Electro Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) demonstrated that diesels could practically replace steam locomotives in heavy-duty service. A pioneer freight diesel, model FT, toured the nation's railroads and changed history.



People Also Ask

Big Boy No. 4014 is the world's largest operating steam locomotive.

MORE DETAILS

Diesel engines are much more efficient than steam engines, but the combustion in the steam engine's firebox can be more carefully controlled and, so, possibly produce less of the types of pollution caused by imperfect combustion.

MORE DETAILS

ton for ton a steam locomotive can and does pull more tons at higher speeds than a diesel locomotive can. The H.P. of a diesel is less effective at faster speeds because more electricity is needed to keep the traction motors spinning at the higher speeds.

MORE DETAILS