Lesson no.7
In this lesson, I will share my opinion on motive power of rail transport and all of the types for locomotives train.
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The power that enables something to move. In rail transport, the motive power is the locomotives or the head of a train coach. The locomotives uses three (3) types of motive power:- • the steam
• the diesel
• the electricity
DEFINITION
A locomotive or engine is a rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. If a locomotive is capable of carrying a payload, it is usually rather referred to as a multiple unit, motor coach, railcar or power car; the use of these self-propelled vehicles is increasingly common for passenger trains
STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
A steam locomotive is a rail vehicle that provides the force to move itself and other vehicles by means of the expansion of steam. It is fueled by burning combustible material (usually coal, oil or, rarely, wood) to heat water in the locomotive's boiler to the point when it becomes gaseous and its volume increases 1,700 times. Functionally, it is a steam engine on wheels.
DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE
Diesel locomotives are powered by diesel engines. In the early days of diesel propulsion development, various transmission systems were employed with varying degrees of success, with electric transmission proving to be the most popular.
A diesel–mechanical locomotive uses mechanical transmission to transfer power to the wheels. This type of transmission is generally limited to low-powered, low speed shunting (switching) locomotives, lightweight multiple units and self-propelled railcars.
How a diesel locomotive operate
ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered only by electricity. Electricity is supplied to moving trains with a (nearly) continuous conductor running along the track that usually takes one of three forms:-
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suspended from poles or towers along the track or from structure or tunnel ceilings
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Both overhead wire and third-rail systems usually use the running rails as the return conductor but some systems use a separate fourth rail for this purpose. The type of electrical power used is either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC).
MAGLEV LOCOMOTIVE
​With maglev technology, the train travels along a guideway of magnets which control the train's stability and speed. While the propulsion and levitation require no moving parts, the bogies can move in relation to the main body of the vehicle and some technologies require support by retractable wheels at low speeds under 150 kilometres per hour (93 mph). This compares with electric multiple units that may have several dozen parts per bogie. Maglev trains can therefore in some cases be quieter and smoother than conventional trains and have the potential for much higher speeds
Maglev (from magnetic levitation) is a system of train transportation that uses two sets of magnets: one set to repel and push the train up off the track, and another set to move the elevated train ahead, taking advantage of the lack of friction. There are both high speed, intercity systems (Over 400 kilometres per hour (250 mph)), and low speed, urban systems (80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) to 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph)) being built and under construction and development.
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Six commercial maglev systems are currently in operation around the world. One is located in Japan, two in South Korea, and three in China. In Aichi, Japan, near Nagoya
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