Power car

Last updated
SNCF TGV Duplex power car at Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, France. TGV - Marseille.JPG
SNCF TGV Duplex power car at Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, France.

In rail transport, the expression power car may refer to either of two distinct types of rail vehicle:

Contents

The first of these types of vehicle is closely related to the locomotive. What differentiates the locomotive and the first type of power car is their construction or use. A locomotive can be physically separated from its train and does nothing but provide propulsion and control (and heat or electricity for passenger trains). On the other hand, a power car of the first type is frequently an integral part of its train, and if the train uses distributed traction, some of the car's interior space may be used for carrying passengers or cargo.

Examples

A power car of Indian Railways A power car of Indian Railways.jpg
A power car of Indian Railways
A Sydney Trains C set at Campsie station. There is a power car at each end, with two trailers in between. Campsie station 2007 (cropped).jpg
A Sydney Trains C set at Campsie station. There is a power car at each end, with two trailers in between.

United States

Nearly all high speed trains use power cars, frequently at both ends.[ citation needed ] An example of these are the Acela Express 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 example is Brightline, which operates between Miami and Orlando International Airport. It is a trainset composed of two diesel bullet power cars at both ends and 4-7 passenger cars.

United Kingdom

Another traditional example would be the older InterCity 125, made for and used by British Rail and several subsequent privatised bodies like Great Western Railway.

New Zealand

Multiple units (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 e.g. New Zealand FP class electric multiple unit.

India

The power supply generation in Indian Railways is based on end-on-generation (EOG), in which a train's hotel load (power supply for lights, fans, air conditioning, pantry, etc.) is provided with electricity from 2 power cars attached to both ends of the train. Each of these power cars is equipped with one diesel alternator set that supplies 3-phase power at 750 volts 50 Hz through two sets of feeders running along the rake and coupled in between with the help of inter-vehicle couplers. Each coach then picks up the power supply through a 60 kVA transformer and brings down the voltage to 110 volts, at which the equipment in compartments run. [4] [5]

This technology is gradually being replaced by a newer energy-efficient power supply system called head-on generation (HOG), where power supply is drawn from overhead equipment through converters provided in electric locomotives for hotel load. This system is leading to huge savings in diesel fuel consumption (amounting to 1,182 crore (US$140 million) as on 20 November 2019). [6]

Australia

The NSW TrainLink XPT, which is based on the InterCity 125, has a power car at each end, one pulling and the other pushing. [7] The Queensland Rail Diesel Tilt Train also has two power cars. [8] Electric Multiple Units, such as the Sydney Trains C set, have power cars on each end with trailer cars in the middle. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diesel multiple unit</span> Diesel-powered railcar designed to be used in formations of 2 or more cars

A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also generally classed as DMUs. Diesel-powered units may be further classified by their transmission type: diesel–mechanical DMMU, diesel–hydraulic DHMU, or diesel–electric DEMU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Locomotive</span> Self-propelled railway vehicle

A locomotive is a rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. If a locomotive is capable of carrying a payload, it is usually rather referred to as a multiple unit, motor coach, railcar or power car; the use of these self-propelled vehicles is increasingly common for passenger trains, but rare for freight trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiple unit</span> Self-propelled train

A multiple-unit train or simply multiple unit (MU) is a self-propelled train composed of one or more carriages joined, which when coupled to another multiple unit can be controlled by a single driver, with multiple-unit train control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Railcar</span> Self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers

A railcar is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach, with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railway companies, such as the Great Western, termed such vehicles "railmotors".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streamliner</span> Vehicle incorporating streamlining in a shape providing reduced air resistance

A streamliner is a vehicle incorporating streamlining in a shape providing reduced air resistance. The term is applied to high-speed railway trainsets of the 1930s to 1950s, and to their successor "bullet trains". Less commonly, the term is applied to fully faired upright and recumbent bicycles. As part of the Streamline Moderne trend, the term was applied to passenger cars, trucks, and other types of light-, medium-, or heavy-duty vehicles, but now vehicle streamlining is so prevalent that it is not an outstanding characteristic. In land speed racing, it is a term applied to the long, slender, custom built, high-speed vehicles with enclosed wheels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">InterCity 125</span> British high-speed diesel passenger train

The InterCity 125 or High Speed Train (HST) is a diesel-powered high-speed passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited between 1975 and 1982. A total of 95 sets were produced, each comprising two Class 43 power cars, one at each end, and a rake of seven or eight Mark 3 coaches. The name is derived from its top operational speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). At times, the sets have been classified as British Rail Classes 253, 254 and 255.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JetTrain</span> Experimental high-speed passenger trainset

The JetTrain was an experimental high-speed passenger train concept created by Bombardier Transportation in an attempt to make European-style high-speed service more financially appealing to passenger railways throughout North America. It was designed to use the same LRC-derived tilting carriages as the Acela Express trains that Bombardier built for Amtrak in the 1990s, which used all-electric locomotives. Unlike the Acela, which is powered electrically by overhead lines, the JetTrain would have used a combination of a 4,000-horsepower (3.0 MW) gas-turbine engine, a low-power diesel engine, a reduction gearbox, and two alternators to power electric traction motors. This would have allowed it to run at high speeds on non-electrified lines.

Push–pull is a configuration for locomotive-hauled trains, allowing them to be driven from either end of the train, whether having a locomotive at each end or not.

The railways of New South Wales, Australia, use a large variety of passenger and freight rolling stock. The first railway in Sydney was opened in 1855 between Sydney and Granville, now a suburb of Sydney but then a major agricultural centre. The railway formed the basis of the New South Wales Government Railways. Passenger and freight services were operated from the beginning. By 1880, there was a half hourly service to Homebush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales XPT</span> Australian regional passenger train

The New South Wales XPT is a class of diesel-powered passenger trains built by Comeng and ABB. Based on the British Rail-designed High Speed Train, each XPT set comprises two XP power cars in a push-pull configuration and, between them, between four and seven passenger carriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Xplorer</span> Class of diesel multiple unit trains

The Xplorer is a class of diesel multiple unit trains built by ABB. Initially entering service in October 1993 with CountryLink, the Xplorers are mechanically identical to the Endeavour railcars, though feature a higher level of passenger amenity. All 23 carriages were built in the Dandenong rolling stock factory. The Xplorers currently operate under NSW TrainLink, running on the regional Main North, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales.

This article lists some of the terminology used at present and in the past by railway employees, railway enthusiasts and railway historians in Australia. Many appear from time to time in specialist, rail-related publications. Significant regional variations exist, indicated by abbreviations of the state or railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales 900/800 class railcar</span>

The 900/800 class railcars were diesel multiple units built by the New South Wales Government Railways between November 1951 and November 1960.

The 1100 class railcar or Budd railcar were a type of diesel railcar built by Commonwealth Engineering for the Department of Railways New South Wales in 1961. They primarily operated on the South Coast Daylight Express until withdrawn in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siemens Charger</span> North American diesel-electric passenger locomotive

The Siemens Charger is a family of diesel-electric/dual-mode passenger locomotives designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility for the North American market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CAF Civity</span> Regional passenger train model

The CAF Civity is a family of regional passenger trains which is manufactured by Spanish rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles. Available as both diesel, electric and battery-electric multiple unit, the Civity was first launched in 2010 and received its first order two years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electro-diesel multiple unit</span> Hybrid overhead line-/fossil fuel engine-powered passenger train

An electro-diesel multiple unit (EDMU) or bi-mode multiple unit (BMU) is a form of a multiple unit train that can be powered either by electric power picked up from the overhead lines or third rail or by using an onboard diesel engine, driving an electric generator, which produces alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) electric power.

Electric Multiple Units (EMU) are powered on the metro network of Athens, with five or six coaches. EMU-5s are of a former type and are limited to Line 1. On Lines 2 and 3, routes are only operated with EMU-6s. The trainsets were put into operation by STASY in 2011, with its establishment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acela Express (trainset)</span> Trainset used on the Acela, Amtraks high-speed Northeast Corridor service

The first-generation Acela Express trainset is a unique set of vehicles used on the Acela, Amtrak's flagship high-speed service along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in the Northeastern United States. When they debuted in 2000, the sets were the fastest in the Americas, reaching 150 mph (240 km/h) on 33.9 mi (54.6 km) of the route. They were built between 1998 and 2001 by a consortium of Alstom and Bombardier. Each set has two power cars derived from units that Alstom built for the TGV, and six passenger cars derived from the LRC that Bombardier built for Via Rail.

References

  1. "49 CFR 238.5 - Definitions: Power car". Code of Federal Regulations Title 49: Transportation. Office of the Federal Register . Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 "power car". McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Full Definition of POWER CAR". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  4. "Head on Generation (HOG) Technology". insightsonindia.com. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  5. "Chapter 13: Power Car Introduction - Revised LHB Maintenance Manual (Electrical)" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. "Head on Generation (HOG) System in Indian Railways". pib.gov.in. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  7. Section, Transport for NSW, Customer Experience Division, Customer Service Branch, Customer Information Services. "XPT Regional Trains". transportnsw.info. Retrieved 2018-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. UK, DVV Media. "Queensland orders 'next generation' diesel Tilt Train". Railway Gazette. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  9. sector=Government, corporateName=Sydney Trains; contact=Communications Directorate. "C Set - Sydney Trains". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 2018-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)