An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device (such as a chemical battery or fuel cell). Electrically propelled locomotives with on-board fuelled prime movers, such as diesel engines or gas turbines, are classed as diesel-electric or gas turbine-electric locomotives because the electric generator/motor combination only serves as a power transmission system. Electricity is used to eliminate smoke and take advantage of the high efficiency of electric motors; however, the cost of railway electrification means that usually only heavily used lines can be electrified.
Read more about Electric Locomotive: Characteristics, History, Electric Locomotive Types, Battery Locomotives
Famous quotes containing the words electric and/or locomotive:
“Remember dancing in
those electric shoes?
Remember?
Remember music
and beware.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“The American people have done much for the locomotive, and the locomotive has done much for them.”
—James A. Garfield (1831–1881)