Types of locomotive

Steam locomotive

A steam train is a railroad train that gives its pulling force through a steam motor. Steam engine uses water to produce steam and then the steam is subject to be pressurized to produce power to move pistons. From that generate generator for the train to move and to provide electricity for other usages. The steam moves by responding cylinders which are mechanically associated with the train's primary wheels (drivers). There are just two approaches to drive the wheels, either specifically by means of riggings or utilizing generator-driven footing engines.

Diesel locomotive

A diesel locomotive is a type of railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine. The diesel engines comes when the combustion engine had been invented.

Several types of diesel locomotive have been developed, differing mainly in the means by which mechanical power is conveyed to the driving wheels (drivers).

Diesel-Electric applications use a diesel engine to drive an electric generator/ alternator. The generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, which is sent to the traction motors that propel the locomotive.

Diesel-electric locomotive

An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or onboard energy storage such as a battery or fuel cell. Electricity is used to eliminate smoke and take advantage of the high efficiency of electric motors, but the cost of electrification means that usually only heavily used lines can be electrified.

An electro-diesel locomotive or also known as a dual-mode locomotive which can be power by electricity or diesel fuel could use to haul the train. Electricity will be the main power for the train to operate while the diesel engine will only start to operate in the condition absent of electricity.

The advantages by using diesel-electric locomotive are :

Diesel-electric locomotives have a much higher performance and efficient service than diesel locomotive (Smiler, 2015).
Reduced environmental pollution around the area (Kindler, 2013))
Lower in maintenance cost (Smiler, 2015).
A diesel-electric locomotive's power output is independent of road speed, as long as the unit’s generator current and voltage limits are not exceeded.
It allows the train to continue its operation in a condition without electricity or power supply.

Locomotive classification by usage

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