That's awesome. What most people don't know is that diesel locomotives use a huge motor (usually with several turbos)....but transfering that power to the wheels can't be done with a gearbox - it would take a really, really expensive, huge, strong gearbox. So instead, the engine is attached to a generator, and the generator turns an electric motor in the wheel hubs. Perfect for the TQ a train needs. Totally insane engineering at it's best.
That's why when when you hear a train about to start moving, you'll hear the engine rev up, and the turbos spool. It's just generating electricity....then when the conductor tells it to move, they apply the voltage to the motors. Kinda awesome.
That's why when when you hear a train about to start moving, you'll hear the engine rev up, and the turbos spool. It's just generating electricity....then when the conductor tells it to move, they apply the voltage to the motors. Kinda awesome.
Ive got a ton more if you liked that one.
And a thread dedicated to my day to day routine here:
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