Role of the diesel-electric rail gar in modern service

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 applications in the United States cover relatively long main-line runs with diesel-hydraulic cars and branch-line service with light diesel-electric cars. Between these two extremes there exists a need for a main-line type of car capable of performing surburban service. Certain electric drive characteristics are well suited to this application.