APD Products
The System Behind Locomotive Performance
Advanced Power Dynamics
From Fuel to Tractive Force: How Modern Locomotives Convert Energy to Propel Freight and Passengers Across Great Distances
At the core of every locomotive lies its power generation and transmission system. APD Products deliver this complex arrangement of components, working harmoniously to convert fuel into the massive tractive effort required to move freight and passengers across vast distances.
The system begins with the engine, typically a diesel engine in modern locomotives, which serves as the prime mover. This powerhouse generates mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical energy by the generator or alternator. The electrical current is then directed to traction motors responsible for turning the wheels and propelling the locomotive forward.