Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech
How is a train not a series hybrid?
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It needs more than one distinct source of power, i.e. a gas tank and batteries. If a train had storage batteries that could move the train when the engine was not running, it would be indisputably a hybrid. It has only one source of power though.
As UFO stated however, a locomotive is more appropriately called an "Electric transmission", which is very similar to a series hybrid and shares most of the same same inefficiencies, except that it cannot move without the ice running and providing power, whereas a prius can move without the engine running, regardless of where the batteries got their power (from the wall or regenerative braking or even the ice).
And as has also been stated numerous times, trains do engine->generator->motor thing for reasons of practicality and not necessarily for efficiency.
Diesel-electric transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"as only electric motors are able to supply full torque at 0 RPM"