Economic Assessment of Coal Burning Diesel Locomotives: Topical Report

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Economic Assessment of Coal Burning Diesel Locomotives: Topical Report

M. J. Hapeman / S. D. Savkar

The coal burning steam locomotive was displaced many years ago by the diesel electric locomotive due to its several well-known advantages. However, the recent escalation of diesel fuel oil prices and the relatively inexpensive and plentiful coal supply provides an incentive to relook at a coal burning diesel electric locomotive. The success of the diesel-electric locomotive is really the result of two major technological changes: (1) the diesel engine, and (2) the electric drive transmission. The smooth, controlled application of power to the rails via electric motors, reduced the locomotive tractive weight by nearly 30%, and also reduced track maintenance by eliminating reciprocating vertical forces. More horsepower is also applied at low speeds to improve train acceleration. The diesel engine has been developed to produce nearly as much horsepower as the largest steam locomotives but with much less maintenance, higher reliability and more availability. The current cost of diesel fuel is now high enough to encourage a return to less-expensive, domestically-available coal fuel. However, it would be a step backward to lose the advantages of the diesel-electric locomotive. General Electric embarked upon a study to determine the best way to design and manufacture a coal-fired locomotive considering various prime movers, but all with electric drive. For a coal-fired diesel locomotive (CFDL) to be commercially viable, it must pass all three of the following criteria: be technically feasible; meet railroads' financial expectations; and offer an attractive return to the Locomotive manufacturer. These three criteria are reviewed based on results to date of General Electric's CFDL studies. The analysis assumes constant 1985 dollars and no significant changes in relative costs of diesel fuel and coal. 23 figs., 16 tabs. (ERA citation 12:022171)