Quote:
Originally Posted by metromizer
Train locomotives generate electricy via big Diesel engines that drive electric motors to propel the train down the tracks. But the torque loads are huge, transmitting mechanical power alone through gears has huge losses so the generator makes sense in that case. I am not sure how efficient an EV car with a Diesel electric generator trailer would be, by nature is sounds kind of lossy.
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That's the train of thought (sorry...
) I had. What's the diesel/electric locomotive's 'reason for being' ? My guess is torque. It would take a whopper of a torque converter on a diesel engine to move a train!
I agree, the diesel/electric concept does sound 'lossy' (hey, it's a new word!) But I would like to see some data...