Effectiveness evaluation of a high-power diesel locomotive using a twin-engine propulsion system

One of the methods of reducing the operating costs of high-power diesel locomotives, and especially the costs of fuel consumption, is the use of a drive system with two engines. The paper presents the characteristics of selected designs of multi-engine locomotives used in Poland and around the world and assesses the efficiency of a high-power six-axle locomotive in two variants of the drive system configuration: single- and double-engine using a main engine with a power of 3000 kW and an auxiliary engine with a power of 400 kW. The comparative analysis took into account: the costs of maintaining the drive system, fuel consumption costs, AdBlue consumption costs and environmental costs. The analyses carried out showed that the double-engine variant ensures compliance with the exhaust emission requirements according to the Stage V standard as well as optimal adaptation of the locomotive to operation with a significant share of idle time.