Factors Involved in the Selection of Railroad Motive Power

The paper presents the position of the three types of motive power in railroad service and offers a brief historical background to show how each one arrived at its present status. A table lists advantages and disadvantages inherent in each type and includes supplementary information to explain the listings in the table. The subject is presented from the viewpoint of the user, and a method of determining more closely the place for each type of locomotive is suggested. An appendix lists all of the considerations which must be included in a complete cost study.