Electric locomotive Facts for Kids

An electric locomotive

An electric locomotive runs on electricity as the name suggests. Electric locomotives cost the least to buy and operate. However, the railway electrification system is very expensive, so only tracks used by many trains per day are usually electrified. Thus, electrics are only the second next used type, behind diesel locomotives.

Electric locomotives get their power from three main sources: overhead lines, an on-board battery, or a third rail.

There are many different types of electric locomotives. Battery-electric locomotives are powered by on-board batteries. They are used in situations where other types of engines could be dangerous.

Images for kids

Electric locomotive Škoda ChS4-109. The Moscow–Odessa train in Vinnytsia railway station.
The ČSD Class E 499.3
The Siemens ES64U4 is the current confirmed holder as the fastest electric locomotive at 357 km/h (222 mph) in 2006.
A Milwaukee Road class ES-2, an example of a larger steeplecab switcher for an electrified heavy-duty railroad (DC) 1916
A prototype of a Ganz AC electric locomotive in Valtellina, Italy, 1901
A Swiss Re 420 leads a freight train down the south side of the Gotthard line, which was electrified in 1922. The masts and lines of the catenary can be seen.
Pikku-Pässi, a small electric locomotive of the Finlayson company in Tampere, Finland, in 1950s
The operating controls of VL80R freight locomotive from Russian Railways. The wheel controls motor power.
Electric locomotive used in mining operations in Flin Flon, Manitoba. This locomotive is on display and not currently in service.
The Swedish Rc locomotive was the first series locomotive that used thyristors with DC motors.
A modern half-pantograph
Third rail at the West Falls Church Metro station near Washington, D.C., electrified at 750 volts. The third rail is at the top of the image, with a white canopy above it. The two lower rails are the ordinary running rails; current from the third rail returns to the power station through these.
One of the Milwaukee Road EP-2 "Bi-polar" electrics
A GG1 electric locomotive
A London Underground battery-electric locomotive at West Ham station used for hauling engineers' trains
NER No.1, Locomotion museum, Shildon
FS Class E656, an articulated Bo'-Bo'-Bo' locomotive, manages more easily the tight curves often found on the Italian railways
British Class 91
Soviet electric locomotive VL60pk (ВЛ60пк), c. 1960
Russian freight electric locomotives 3ES10 and 4ES5K
CN Boxcab Electric locomotive leaving Mount Royal Tunnel, in 1989.
A Siemens ACS-64.
Two China Railway HXD3Ds hauling a long-distance passenger train.
Japan electric locomotive EF65
Australian electric locomotives 3100/3200 class
Indian Railways 12,000 HP freight class WAG-12 electric locomotive
Indian Railways passenger class WAP-7 electric locomotive
Indian Railways freight class WAG-9 electric locomotive

Electric locomotive facts for kids

Images for kids

See also