Why did railroads switch to diesel?

The diesel engine drives an alternator, which produces electricity to run electric motors mounted on the locomotive's axles. The internal combustion engine was a dramatic improvement in efficiency over the steam locomotive, making substantial savings possible in maintenance and the elimination of widespread facilities.



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Since the 1930's Freight trains have relied almost exclusively on diesel power due to its combination of power, performance, fuel efficiency, reliability, and durability.

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Using electric locomotives allows the railways to save time by giving a faster acceleration and also saves fuel costs.

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The exhaust from decades-old diesel locomotives contains particles (nitrogen oxides and black carbon) that scientists and public health experts have long known cause lung cancer, severe asthma, heart disease and neurological disorders.

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Some locomotives collect electricity from overhead cables, while others take power from a third “live” rail on the track. It is very expensive to build the lines or rails that carry the electric current, but electric locomotives are cleaner, quieter, faster, and more reliable than steam or diesel engines.

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Power plant capacity is far greater than any individual locomotive uses, so electric locomotives can have a higher power output than diesel locomotives and they can produce even higher short-term surge power for fast acceleration. Electric locomotives are ideal for commuter rail service with frequent stops.

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If we take an overall view of the transport sector, 71% of transportation related carbon emissions come from road users, whereas only 1.8% of emissions stem from rail travel. So in absolute terms, trains are responsible for a lot less emissions than cars.

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Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are directly related to fuel consumption. According to EPA data, freight railroads account for just 0.5% of total U.S. GHG emissions and just 1.7% of transportation-related GHG emissions. Moving freight by rail instead of truck lowers GHG emissions by up to 75%, on average.

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The transportation sector emits the highest amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of all the U.S. sectors, with the rail sector contributing 2% of those emissions. Rail plays an important role in reducing the transportation sector's emissions due to the efficiency of passenger and freight rail transportation.

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A train engine requires about a hundred litres of fuel to get it started. So it wouldn't be economical if the engine is stopped and started frequently. This apart, if the engine is stopped, the moving parts' lubrication will also come to a halt.

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Unlike a steam locomotive, diesels could also operate “back-to-back” with a cab facing in either direction. With an MU-equipped cab unit (or “A Unit”) on each end, yard crews did not need to turn them, saving the railroad time and money.

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Cons of diesel cars
  • Diesel cars tend to be more expensive to buy than similar petrol models.
  • Diesel fuel usually costs more.
  • Servicing can be more expensive, although you don't need to do it as often.
  • Insurance can be 10-15% higher. [ ...
  • Diesel cars produce a lot more NO2.


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Diesel engines, which are commonly used in trains and buses, release a combination of gases and particulates into the air. These emissions include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM), which can produce a strong, acrid smell.

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Every battery locomotive that replaces a diesel will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3,000 tons per year, Wabtec estimates. But it is unlikely they can quickly replace diesel-powered trains.

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