A genset locomotive is a locomotive in which a number of smaller diesel engines are used rather than a single large engine. The term is short for "generator set."[1]

Aspects of gensets

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A genset uses one to three small diesel engines to provide power. An operator is able to activate each engine as needed, with more than one engine gensets activating one for light work and activating more for heavier work, with excess engines turned off when the extra power is not needed.[1]

Advantages

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  • More efficient design.
  • Longer service life.
  • Fuel savings.
  • Ultra-low emissions.
  • Improved wheel to rail adhesion capability.
  • With multiple engine gensets, should one genset engine fail, the others can keep the train going, albeit at reduced speed.
  • Removing a genset engine requires smaller size crane, while a larger crane is required to remove a traditional diesel prime mover.[1][2][3][4][5]

Disadvantages

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  • More complex design.
  • Greater capital cost.
  • Greater deadweight.
  • More engines, and the engines and generators do not use standard parts, reducing reliability.
  • Multiple smaller truck type engines which lack the hardiness of a single large railroad type prime mover.
  • Engineers do not like them because they are slow to get a cut of cars moving.[2][6][5]

Table of produced gensets

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N Year Country Manufacturer Model HP Engines Axels Gauge Link Remark K
003+ 2013 India Banaras Locomotive Works WDM-2G 2400 (3x800) B-B 1676mm LK RK K
005 2006 United States National Railway Equipment NRE 3GS21B 2100 (3x700) Cummins WH 1435mm LK RK K
010 2014 South Africa Grindrod Locomotives ML 0710 ES WH 1067mm
1000 mm
LK RK K
020 2010 United States Railserve Leaf ML 1200 (2x600) Cummins
QSX15-L3
B-B 1435 mm LK RK K
030 201? United States MotivePower MPI MP14B 1400 (2x700) Cummins
QSK19C
B-B 1435 mm LK RK K
040 2007 United States Railpower Technologies Railpower RP14BD 1530 (2x765) Deutz
BD2015
WH 1435 mm LK RK K
042 2004 United States Railpower Technologies Railpower GG20B
Greengoat
300;
2000 using supplemental battery
Caterpillar C9 B-B 1435 mm LK Only genset
with large battery for extra power
K
050 201? United States Progress Rail Progress Rail PR43C 4300 (1x3600 +
1x700)
.
Caterpillar
C175
C18
C-C 1435 mm LK RK K
100 20?? United States Brookville Brookville BL20CG 2100 (3x700) Cummins B-B 1435 mm LK RK K
200 20?? United States National Railway Equipment NRE 2GS16B-AU 1400 (2x700) Cummins B-B 1435 mm LK RK K
300 2013 Germany Bombardier Transportation Traxx
DE Multi-Engine
2880 (4x720) ES WH 1435 mm LK RK K

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "What is a Genset locomotive?". Railserve Leaf. Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Lustig, David (February 20, 2023). "The controversial Genset locomotive". Trains. Archived from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  3. ^ "N-Viromotive new locomotive". www.nationalrailway.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01.
  4. ^ "Locomotives". nre.com. National Railway Equipment Company. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Technology - Genset". up.com. Union Pacific Railroad. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  6. ^ DeBruler, Dennis (March 21, 2017). "Gensets are already dead". Industrial History. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
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