GE three-power boxcab
Encyclopedia
The GE three-power boxcabs were early electro-diesel
hybrid
switcher
locomotives. General Electric
built the chassis and running gear, generator, motors and controls, and Ingersoll Rand
provided the diesel engine. The principle of operation was similar to that of modern hybrid locomotives, the diesel engine driving a main generator of 600 volts DC, which provided charging current to a bank of batteries
which powered four traction motors, one per axle. In addition to being powered by the diesel engine, most of these locomotives were capable of operating as electric locomotives.
Two of these locomotives were equipped to operate off of 3000 volt overhead lines
, and 34 were capable of operating off of a 600 volt third rail
.
These locomotives were equipped with a six-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine of 300 hp. Thirty units were produced in 1930.
The prototype of these locomotives was New York Central 1525, produced along with a line of boxcab switcher
locomotives,by a consortium of ALCO
, GE and Ingersoll Rand, ALCO dropped out of the arrangement in 1928, after acquiring their own diesel engine manufacturer in McIntosh & Seymour and went on to start its own line of diesel switchers.
These boxcabs were often termed "oil-electrics" to avoid the use of the German name "Diesel", unpopular after World War I.
, and GE boxcab
, diesel-electric variants of these locomotives.
Electro-diesel locomotive
An Electro-diesel locomotive is powered either from an electricity supply or by using the onboard diesel engine...
hybrid
Hybrid locomotive
A hybrid train is a locomotive, railcar or train that uses an onboard rechargeable energy storage system , placed between the power source and the traction transmission system connected to the wheels....
switcher
Switcher
A switcher or shunter is a small railroad locomotive intended not for moving trains over long distances but rather for assembling trains ready for a road locomotive to take over, disassembling a train that has been...
locomotives. General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
built the chassis and running gear, generator, motors and controls, and Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll-Rand plc is a $13 billion global diversified industrial company founded in 1871. The Ingersoll Rand name came into use in 1905 through the combination of Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Company and Rand Drill Company...
provided the diesel engine. The principle of operation was similar to that of modern hybrid locomotives, the diesel engine driving a main generator of 600 volts DC, which provided charging current to a bank of batteries
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
which powered four traction motors, one per axle. In addition to being powered by the diesel engine, most of these locomotives were capable of operating as electric locomotives.
Two of these locomotives were equipped to operate off of 3000 volt overhead lines
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
, and 34 were capable of operating off of a 600 volt third rail
Third rail
A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost...
.
These locomotives were equipped with a six-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine of 300 hp. Thirty units were produced in 1930.
The prototype of these locomotives was New York Central 1525, produced along with a line of boxcab switcher
ALCO boxcab
The ALCO boxcabs were diesel-electric switcher locomotives, otherwise known as AGEIR boxcabs as a contraction of the names of the builders. Produced by a partnership of three companies, ALCO built the chassis and running gear, General Electric the generator, motors and controls, and Ingersoll Rand...
locomotives,by a consortium of ALCO
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
, GE and Ingersoll Rand, ALCO dropped out of the arrangement in 1928, after acquiring their own diesel engine manufacturer in McIntosh & Seymour and went on to start its own line of diesel switchers.
These boxcabs were often termed "oil-electrics" to avoid the use of the German name "Diesel", unpopular after World War I.
See also
ALCO boxcabALCO boxcab
The ALCO boxcabs were diesel-electric switcher locomotives, otherwise known as AGEIR boxcabs as a contraction of the names of the builders. Produced by a partnership of three companies, ALCO built the chassis and running gear, General Electric the generator, motors and controls, and Ingersoll Rand...
, and GE boxcab
GE boxcab
The GE boxcabs were diesel-electric switcher locomotives. General Electric built the chassis and running gear, generator, motors and controls, and Ingersoll Rand provided the diesel engine...
, diesel-electric variants of these locomotives.