kids encyclopedia robot

Diesel locomotive facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Hugh llewelyn D1661 (5558595690)
A diesel locomotive
Diesel locomotive 9607 at Nairobi railway station, Kenya
Former diesel locomotive in Kenya

A diesel locomotive is a special kind of locomotive (a train engine) that uses a diesel engine to move. Think of it like a big truck engine, but for a train! This powerful engine helps turn the train's wheels using a special system called a transmission.

Diesel locomotives are very popular all over the world. They are easy to use and very dependable. They can be stronger than older steam locomotives. Also, they don't need expensive power lines like electric locomotives do. This makes them useful in many places.

How Diesel Locomotives Work

Diesel locomotives use their engine to create power. This power then needs a way to get to the wheels. This is where the "transmission system" comes in. It's like the gearbox in a car, helping the engine's power reach the wheels. There are a few main ways this happens.

Mechanical Transmission

Some diesel locomotives use a mechanical system. This is similar to how a car works. The diesel engine connects directly to a gearbox. This gearbox then uses shafts or chains to spin the wheels. These types are often used for smaller trains or shunting (moving cars around a yard).

Electric Transmission

The most common type of diesel locomotive uses electric transmission. Here's how it works:

  • The diesel engine runs a generator.
  • This generator makes electricity.
  • The electricity then powers electric motors.
  • These electric motors are connected to the wheels, making the train move.

This system is very smooth and powerful, which is why it's used so much for big trains.

Hydraulic Transmission

Another way to transfer power is through a hydraulic system. This method uses special liquids under pressure.

  • The diesel engine powers a hydraulic pump.
  • This pump sends pressurized fluid to a hydraulic motor.
  • The hydraulic motor then turns the train's wheels.

This system is also very effective and is used in some locomotives around the world.

Images for kids

  • ЧМЭ3-2908, Украина, Днепропетровская область, перегон Встречный - Днепропетровск-Южный (Trainpix 138895)

    The ČKD ČME3 is one of the longest-running and most-manufactured diesel–electric locomotives ever made.

  • Dawlish Warren 1970s - 5

    The InterCity 125, the current confirmed record holder as the fastest diesel-powered train at 148 mph (238 km/h); is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of carriages; capable of 125 mph (201 km/h) in regular service.

  • Three-loco-styles

    These Pacific National-operated locos show three styles of diesel locomotive body: box cab (rear), hood unit (center) and cab unit (front).

  • Priestmann Oil Engine - Fig 150 p461 The Steam engine and gas and oil engines John Perry

    Diagram of Priestman oil engine from The Steam engine and gas and oil engines (1900) by John Perry

  • Acsev56

    Petrol–electric Weitzer railmotor, first 1903, series 1906

  • Limousin2010RVT01

    Swiss & German co-production: world's first functional diesel–electric railcar 1914

  • Teplovoz Eel2 (2)

    World's first useful diesel locomotive for long distances SŽD Eel2

  • Rangeerlocomotor NS 228

    Shunter of Nederlandse Spoorwegen from 1934, in modern livery

  • Autorail Renault VH2211 Mulhouse FRA 001

    Renault VH, France, 1933/34

  • McKeen railmotor at Wodonga

    A Mckeen railcar in Wodonga, Australia, 1911

  • D2069 at Doncaster Works

    A British Rail Class 03 diesel–mechanical shunter with a jackshaft under the cab.

  • Metra Locomotives F40PH-2 & MP36PH-3S

    The EMD F40PH (left) and MPI MPXpress-series MP36PH-3S (right) locomotives coupled together by Metra use diesel–electric transmission.

  • 2ТЭ10М-0870, Россия, Архангельская область, станция Обозерская (Trainpix 184374)

    Soviet 2TE10M locomotive

  • Nákladové nádraží Žižkov, lokomotiva 742.330

    Czech Class 742 and 743 locomotive

  • CSX locomotive cab

    Engineer's controls in a diesel–electric locomotive cab. The lever near bottom-centre is the throttle and the lever visible at bottom left is the automatic brake valve control.

  • S3DieselElectricLocomotiveSRM

    MLW model S-3 produced in 1957 for the CPR adhering to designs by ALCO.

  • 116U-rabmash

    Cab of the Russian locomotive 2TE116U. "11" indicates the throttle.

  • 3000hp curve ver2

    Typical main generator constant power curve at "notch 8"

  • 116U-left-corridore-diesel

    Left corridor of power compartment of Russian locomotive 2TE116U, 3 – alternator, 4 – rectifier, 6 – diesel

  • ТЭП80-0002, Россия, Тверская область, станция Калинин (Trainpix 208953)

    Russian diesel locomotive TEP80

  • EMD 567

    An EMD 12-567B 12-cylinder 2-stroke diesel engine (foreground; square "hand holes"), stored pending rebuild, and missing some components, with a 16-567C or D 16-cylinder engine (background; round "hand holes").

  • GE Genesis P32AC-DM 202 MNCRR Ossining

    Metro-North's GE Genesis P32AC-DM electro-diesel locomotive can also operate off of third-rail electrification.

  • JNR DD51-1 at Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park

    JNR DD51 1 diesel-hydraulic

  • Db-220002-01-c

    DB class V 200 diesel–hydraulic

  • ID diesel loco BB 303-84-12 120920-0145 mdn

    A Henschel (Germany) diesel–hydraulic locomotive in Medan, North Sumatra

  • Western Warship and Hymek

    British Rail diesel–hydraulic locomotives: Class 52 "Western", Class 42 "Warship" and Class 35 "Hymek"

  • VR Dv12 locomotive in Tampere Aug2008 001

    A VR Class Dv12 diesel–hydraulic locomotive

  • DH GMD 6031 VFRGS-RF Guido Mota

    A GMD GMDH-1 diesel–hydraulic locomotive

  • Teploparovoz TP1

    Soviet Locomotive TP1

  • GM-EMD 2000

    Diesel–electric locomotive built by EMD for service in the UK and continental Europe.

  • Canadian National diesels southbound on the Norfolk Southern near Polaris Mall in Columbus, Ohio (2092116881)

    A Canadian National Railway train showing the placement of the headlight and ditch lights on the locomotive.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Locomotora diésel para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Diesel locomotive Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.