Wanted: A modern diesel-electric rail car

The self-propelled rail car is returning to a place of popularity as the railroads seek to reduce costs and attract additional passenger business. Current rail-car application in the United States covers relatively long main-line runs with diesel-hydraulic cars, and branch line service with light diesel-electric cars. Between these two extremes there lies a need for a main-line type of car capable of performing suburban service. Certain characteristics of the electric drive are well suited to this application.