BenDragon81037

It does make sense, a diesel locomotive has a much lower power to weight ratio compared to an electric locomotive. Sharing components is also possible. I don't have anything more to add.

That is fair enough, thank you for shedding light on this aspect.

Do you mean this mega thread? That is a HUGE 413 page thread. It's like a section, but within a thread. Yeah, I'll try that thank you.

It is theoretically possible to achieve the grunt of a class 92 on electric and a class 60 on diesel, being built by the same manufacturer helps. As you say though, loading gauge and axle weights are issues. The solution is to articulate the locomotive, probably utilising simple articulation similar to permanently coupling 2 class 20s together nose to nose. But then you find yourself with an incredibly huge and probably cumbersome heavy locomotive to handle around any shed or depot, not to mention that when one unit breaks, both need to be taken out of service and begin questioning to yourself why couldn't these be built as 2 separate units, much like the Americans did with their DDA40X. But that is my gripe about hybrid traction, you can only utilise half of the locomotive's capability at any one time making the unit overall heavy and underpowered for the power that it produces. It is an issue that affected the class 73s quite heavily. It would be more efficient to do what BR did on the WCML prior to electrification being extended to Glasgow, where the electric locomotive would be switched with a diesel one.

I am talking about a plausible freelance model. I do have a few equipment diagrams of random locomotives to the point where I know the general layout of what is actually involved and put into the locomotive in order to make it run (throttle, transmissions etc.) But then again, tailoring the components to a specific equirement requirement is another issue in itself. Like there's more options to the Class 08's engine than the English Electric's 6KT, there was a larger version belonging to D0226 and D0227 which were fitted with English Electric's 6RKT Mk II, which is essentially the sucsessor of the former engine. What makes it hard is that there is no access to a catalogue of parts which have basic details (External dimensions, HP & torque) from which the final dimensions of the units can be determined (Whether the components can be combined into a type of hood unit and whether it would be wise to sink the engine unit in-between the wheel sets to maximise the amount of space within the loading gauge without actually adding any height). So when it comes to Symmetrical engine designs, the Deltic is the most famous example. But then you get to the westerns too, like this diesel hydraulic class 52. Although according to this diagram it seems that the only hydraulic component may be the torque converter for the transmission. As for aymmetric loading, well... http://www.traintesting.com/images/power_car_drg.jpg Weight distribution is an important factor where you have to utilise the most space avaible for the engine / generator set (including engine, turbo charger, air filter, exhaust), but as you say, the supporting equipment (electrical & cooling) needs to be considered and the proportions and balances need to be made depending on the climate that it is going to be used in (ambient temperatures). Tunnels need to be considered (cause the exhaust can get sucked right back into the engine if not careful), and then there are the secondary systems to discuss including air, vacumme and all of the equipment that entails. I guess the thing is what kind of body style I would like, be it a hooded unit similar to the class 15s, 16s, 17s, 20s, or whether it would be a cowl unit, something like the class 47s, 31s or 66s, which tend to have a truss frame. Something else I found on my travels as well, the class 31s being manufactured. As far as I know, locomotives are designed around the parts that are destined to go on the platform. If the components can't be sourced then it makes it more difficult to design a locomotive around them with realistic specs so it feels real. I do know what I want and looking for, I guess I am just anxious to know if I am making it look rather good and what the performance of what I am creating really would be and what the dimensions really would end up being. At times, I wonder if I am overthinking it and get something noted down on paper. I very much find myself a perfectionist at heart and I find that your feedback is useful. Thank you for reading and replying. ^^ I appreciate it.

Hello, I would like to design a locomotive from the ground up, ie: design one from scratch. Does anyone have any tips and advice? I was thinking of starting with a catalogue of engines from English Electric or Brush to get the overall HP