Measurement of railway-motor temperatures in service

THE EVER-INCREASING application of Diesel-electric locomotives to the many diversified traffic requirements of the railway systems over the nation is an acknowledgment of the versatility and effectiveness of this type of motive power. It brings to the steam road the high availability of the Diesel engine, the practical adaptation of which to railway-traction requirements is made possible through the electric transmission. The electric generator coupled to the Diesel engine enables the essentially constant torque and speed output of the prime mover to be converted to the widely variable range of torque and speed required for traction by means of electric motors geared to the locomotive drivers. This same transmission is used again when electric braking is applied to reduce or hold train speed.