Rail traction diesel engines

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Rail traction diesel engines

Smith, J.M.

The use of Diesel engines in railway-traction in Britain is reviewed. After large scale experiments with diesel-engined shunting locomotives with different types of transmission, the British Railways decided on 350 to 400 H.P. diesel electric locomotives with heavy medium-speed engines. Mechanical transmission is widely used up to 150 B.H.P. and electrical transmission above 500 B.H.P., but the two types of transmission are highly competitive in the range of 150 to 500 B.H.P. Electric transmission has enabled large engines to be operated at a number of fixed speeds in the vibration free-portions of the crankshaft torsional vibration spectrum, and the effects of the introduction of improved crankshaft vibration dampers are discussed and illustrated by examples. The reasons why the majority of rail traction Diesel engines have been specially designed are given and the dangers of over-rating or overloading are stressed. The causes of the great advance in power output in the supercharged four stroke engine are discussed and graphs illustrate improvements due to other factors, such as the incorporation of heat exchangers and high pressure ratio turbo-chargers. The importance of periodic preventative maintenance in the lengthening of the periods between general overhauls is discussed.