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Multi-Engine Diesel-Electric Locomotives (Genset)[Inhalt]
Bombardier TRAXX 2E Multi-Engine (P160 DE ME)
DB AG class 245
Germany | 2012
ca. 50 produced
245 014 with a double-deck train at Munich-East station
245 014 with a double-deck train at Munich-East station
Paul Smith

The class 245 is the first in a new generation of multi-engine diesel locomotives based on Bombardier's successful TRAXX family. The designation assigned by the manufacturer consists of passenger, 160 km/h maximum speed, diesel-electric and multi-engine.

Since the 1970s, single-engine diesel locomotives have been preferred because the fewer parts made them easier to maintain than twin-engine ones. However, as aspects such as efficiency and environmental protection have become more and more important in the new millennium, the use of multiple engines has again become an alternative. In the class 245, four Caterpillar C18s, each with 563 kW and each with their own generator and cooling system, are used, which have already found widespread use in industry and in road and agricultural vehicles. This guarantees low maintenance costs. In addition, despite their complex design, modern common rail diesels can generally boast of high reliability. The independent control allows individual engines to be switched off depending on the required output, thus saving fuel. The electronics automatically regulate the use of the required engines and ensure that all four are worn out as equally as possible. The latest requirements for exhaust and noise emissions have been taken into account with a closed system for particle filtering and improved insulation.

The first customer for the class 245 was DB Regio, which signed a contract with Bombardier for 200 locomotives over a period of seven years. The plan is for a 245 to replace one or even two 218s at a time. The launch of the locomotives was plagued by many problems which persisted through 2019, leading to many cancellations and delays. These included overheating of the electrical system, clogged particle filters due to software errors or leaks in engine oil and cooling water.

VariantDBParibus
General
Builtsince 2012
ManufacturerBombardier
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length62 ft 0 1/8 in
Wheelbase42 ft 9 3/8 in
Rigid wheelbase8 ft 6 3/8 in
Service weight178,574 lbs182,983 lbs
Adhesive weight178,574 lbs182,983 lbs
Axle load44,754 lbs45,856 lbs
Boiler
VariantDBParibus
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Top speed99 mph
Starting effort67,443 lbf
EngineCaterpillar C18
Engine type4x 6-cyl. diesel
Fuel713 us gal (diesel)1,117 us gal (diesel)
Engine output3,017 hp (2,250 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
passenger
Genset
Bombardier TRAXX
three-phase AC
last changed: 03/2022
National Railway Equipment Company 2GS14B
United States | 2005
more than 20 produced
Union Pacific No. 2005, a former EMD MP15, in October 2008 at Carson, California
Union Pacific No. 2005, a former EMD MP15, in October 2008 at Carson, California
Paul Rome / www.rrpicturearchives.net

In 2005, NRE used an older diesel locomotive for the first time to rebuild it as a multi-engine genset locomotive. The base was a Southern Pacific EMD MP15DC, originally built as a GP30. Instead of the 1,500 hp EMD 12-645E, two Cummins QSK19C, each with 700 hp, were used, both of which had their own generators. The driver's cab was here in the middle between the engines.

The type was called 2GS14B, which consists of two engines, “Gen Set”, 1,400 hp and wheel arrangement B-B. Other examples of this type have since been built on the basis of different four-axle road switchers, some of which had already been rebuilt. In most cases the cab stayed at one end of the locomotive. Other types with one to three engines soon emerged. Since then, other manufacturers, not only in the USA, have also been offering genset locomotives.

General
Builtsince 2005
ManufacturerNational Railway Equipment
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length48 ft 8 in
Service weight258,000 lbs
Adhesive weight258,000 lbs
Axle load64,500 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Top speed65 mph
Starting effort77,407 lbf
EngineCummins QSK19C
Engine type2x 6-cyl. diese1
Fuel1,350 us gal (diesel)
Engine output1,400 hp (1,044 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
last changed: 01/2023
National Railway Equipment Company 3GS21B
United States | 2006
182 produced
US Army No. 6507 in November 2010 at Fort Stewart, Georgia
US Army No. 6507 in November 2010 at Fort Stewart, Georgia
Sgt. Robert Schaffner / 3rd ID Public Affairs
General
Builtsince 2006
ManufacturerNational Railway Equipment
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Service weight265,000 lbs
Adhesive weight265,000 lbs
Axle load66,360 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Top speed65 mph
Starting effort80,500 lbf
EngineCummins QSK19C
Engine type3x 6-cyl. diesel
Fuel2,901 us gal (diesel)
Engine output2,100 hp (1,566 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
National Railway Equipment Company 3GS21C
United States | 2008
27 produced
BNSF No. 1300 in January 2013 in Commerce, California
BNSF No. 1300 in January 2013 in Commerce, California
Steven Vincent / www.rrpicturearchives.net
General
Builtsince 2008
ManufacturerNational Railway Equipment
Axle configC-C 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length65 ft 8 in
Service weight390,000 lbs
Adhesive weight390,000 lbs
Axle load65,000 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Top speed65 mph
Starting effort136,500 lbf
EngineCummins QSK19C
Engine type3x 6-cyl. diesel
Engine output2,100 hp (1,566 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
National Railway Equipment Company 1GS7B
United States | 2008
7 produced
Demonstrator No. 700 by NRE in September 2009 in Hamlet, North Carolina
Demonstrator No. 700 by NRE in September 2009 in Hamlet, North Carolina
Patrick Treadaway / www.rrpicturearchives.net
General
Builtsince 2008
ManufacturerNational Railway Equipment
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
EngineCummins QSK19C
Engine type6-cyl. diesel
Engine output684 hp (510 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
National Railway Equipment Company 2GS36C-DE
United States | 2011
only one produced
The prototype in August 2011 near NRE headquarters in Mount Vernon, Illinois
The prototype in August 2011 near NRE headquarters in Mount Vernon, Illinois
Joe Ferguson / www.rrpicturearchives.net

The most powerful design among NRE's multi-engine “N-ViroMotive” genset locomotives is the 2GS36C-DE. Its name stands for two engines with a total of 3,600 hp and three axles per bogie. Power comes from two Cummins QSK50L, each with 16 cylinders and 1,800 hp. The prototype was built in August 2011 on the frame of an EMD SD40-2. Since no further orders have followed and NRE's locomotives with the smaller QSK19 were more successful, only one prototype remained.

General
Built2011
ManufacturerNational Railway Equipment
Axle configC-C 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length68 ft 10 in
Service weight420,000 lbs
Adhesive weight420,000 lbs
Axle load70,000 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Starting effort126,000 lbf
EngineCummins QSK50L
Engine type2x V16 diesel
Fuel3,000 us gal (diesel)
Engine output3,600 hp (2,685 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
freight
last changed: 11/2023
National Railway Equipment Company 2GS16B-AU
Australia | 2014
7 produced
PB2 in August 2014 in Lysagths
PB2 in August 2014 in Lysagths
Tjbulic
General
Built2014
ManufacturerNational Railway Equipment
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length50 ft 7 7/8 in
Service weight200,620 lbs
Adhesive weight200,620 lbs
Axle load50,265 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Top speed37 mph
EngineCummins QSK19C
Engine type2x 6-cyl. diese1
Engine output1,556 hp (1,160 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
National Railway Equipment Company 3GS24C-DE-AU
Australia | 2013
5 produced
Nos. 1201 and 1202 in November 2014 at Pelican Point, Adelaide
Nos. 1201 and 1202 in November 2014 at Pelican Point, Adelaide
Daven Walters / www.flickr.com/emd4301

In 2023, NRE manufactured a total of five six-axle freight locomotives for the Australian railway company “El Zorro”. These each have six overhauled D78 traction motors from EMD, which are powered by three Cummins QSK19C, each with around 750 hp. When the first two locomotives were on their way to Australia, El Zorro was liquidated. These two were sold to Bowmans Rail after interim storage at Port Kembla. One of the three locomotives remaining in the USA was delivered to Caraminer S.A. in Uruguay in 2021.

General
Built2013
ManufacturerNational Railway Equipment
Axle configC-C 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length63 ft 11 11/16 in
Service weight251,327 lbs
Adhesive weight251,327 lbs
Axle load41,888 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
EngineCummins QSK19C
Engine type3x 6-cyl. diesel
Fuel1,321 us gal (diesel)
Engine output2,265 hp (1,689 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
freight
last changed: 05/2023
Railpower RP14BD
United States | 2008
unknown number
Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks No. 772 in November 2016 in Mobile, Alabama
Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks No. 772 in November 2016 in Mobile, Alabama
Jerry Sires / rrpicturearchives.net
General
Builtsince 2008
ManufacturerRailpower Technologies
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Top speed65 mph
EngineDeutz TCD 2015
Engine type2x V8 diesel
Engine output1,341 hp (1,000 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
Railpower RP20BD
United States | 2006
118 produced
Union Pacific No. 2661, a former GE B23-7, in May 2011 at Houston, Texas
Union Pacific No. 2661, a former GE B23-7, in May 2011 at Houston, Texas
Roy Luck

Railpower Technologies, a subsidiary of the R.J. Corman Railroad Group, offers to rebuild existing diesel locomotives to new, energy-saving and environmentally friendly GenSet locomotives. The RP20BD is a four-axle road switcher based on the EMD GP9 or GP38 or on the GE B23-7 or B30-7. Three Deutz V8 engines provide a total of 1,800 to 2,000 hp, while individual engines are being turned off depending on power demands. As Opposed to the RP20CD, the limited length of the locomotive doesn't allow the installation of a fourth engine.

General
Builtsince 2006
ManufacturerRailpower Technologies
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length59 ft 2 in
Wheelbase45 ft 8 in
Rigid wheelbase9 ft
Service weight275,000 lbs
Adhesive weight275,000 lbs
Axle load68,750 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourcediesel-electric
Top speed70 mph
Starting effort88,000 lbf
EngineDeutz TCD 2015
Engine type3x V8 diesel
Fuel1,900 us gal (diesel)
Engine output2,000 hp (1,491 kW)
Calculated Values
diesel locomotive
Genset
switcher
freight
last changed: 07/2024
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