Power car
Encyclopedia
A power car is a railroad vehicle that is closely related to the locomotive
. What differentiates the two is their construction or their use. A true locomotive can be physically separated from its train and does nothing but provide propulsion (and electricity
for passenger trains). A power car, on the other hand, is frequently an integral part of its train. Some of its interior space may be used for holding passengers or cargo. Power cars are limited to passenger trains as their relative lack of versatility makes them unsuitable for hauling freight.
Nearly all high speed train
s use power cars, frequently at both ends. An example of these are the Acela trainsets in use by Amtrak
; which are built by Bombardier in Canada using technology licensed from France's Alstom, the twenty Acela trainsets operate between Washington, D.C.
and Boston
, Massachusetts
, each trainset consists of six passenger cars and two power cars. Another traditional example would be the older Intercity 125
, made for and used by British Rail
and several subsequent privatised bodies like Virgin Trains
.
Multiple unit
s (diesel
or electric
) usually have a mix of power cars and trailers, often with one of each in a pair which can be coupled to other pairs to form a larger train; see eg NZR FP class.
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
. What differentiates the two is their construction or their use. A true locomotive can be physically separated from its train and does nothing but provide propulsion (and electricity
Head end power
Head end power or electric train supply is a rail transport term for the electrical power distribution system on a passenger train. The power source, usually a locomotive at the front or “head” of a train or a generator car, generates all the electricity used for lighting, electrical and other...
for passenger trains). A power car, on the other hand, is frequently an integral part of its train. Some of its interior space may be used for holding passengers or cargo. Power cars are limited to passenger trains as their relative lack of versatility makes them unsuitable for hauling freight.
Nearly all high speed train
High Speed Train
There are three types of trains in Britain that have been traditionally viewed as high speed trains:* Advanced Passenger Train - Tilting trains which never entered into regular revenue-earning service....
s use power cars, frequently at both ends. An example of these are the Acela trainsets in use by Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
; which are built by Bombardier in Canada using technology licensed from France's Alstom, the twenty Acela trainsets operate between Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, each trainset consists of six passenger cars and two power cars. Another traditional example would be the older Intercity 125
InterCity 125
The InterCity 125 was the brand name of British Rail's High Speed Train fleet. The InterCity 125 train is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of Mark 3 carriages, and is capable of , making the train the fastest diesel-powered locomotive in regular service in the...
, made for and used by British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
and several subsequent privatised bodies like Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
.
Multiple unit
Multiple unit
The term multiple unit or MU is used to describe a self-propelled carriages capable of coupling with other units of the same or similar type and still being controlled from one driving cab. The term is commonly used to denote passenger trainsets consisting of more than one carriage...
s (diesel
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
or electric
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
) usually have a mix of power cars and trailers, often with one of each in a pair which can be coupled to other pairs to form a larger train; see eg NZR FP class.