Rail (passenger and freight) industry has been under pressure to tackle climate change, local and noise emissions. The current available powertrain technologies to reach the reduced greenhouse (GHG) and zero local emissions demands are electric (fed from the power grid), battery and fuel cell. However, the associated infrastructure costs (electrical equipments and the required overhead catenary infrastructure) have limited the electric option to heavy loaded corridors. Battery electric powered rail vehicles could be another potential option, but their system recharging requirements might significantly limit the system’s availability, thus, impacting the rail vehicle’s on-the-job performance. The recent breakthrough of fuel cell technology in the heavy duty road industry (mainly transit buses), allied with its operational flexibility and environmental performance has opened the way for this groundbreaking technology in the rail industry. Fuel cells generate electricity onboard, using hydrogen or hydrogen rich hydrocarbon fuels. Electricity is, then, stored in batteries or fed directly into a rail vehicle’s high voltage propulsion system. From an operational perspective, fuel cell powered rail vehicles might replace diesel ones in a one-to-one relationship, with the same range and running times, and a more efficient and less noisy powertrain. Moreover, the on-site refilling station is the only additional infrastructure element required, compared to diesel rail vehicle baselines. In short, fuel cell technology might offer a long term local zero emission alternative, fast refuelling (like diesel), flexibility, with self-electrification, integration with a renewable energy source and a quiet operation. Given their outstanding operational and environmental features, several rail market niches might be addressed by the fuel cell technology: i) light rail and trams in urban environments; ii) commuter and regional trains operating on non electrified tracks; iii) shunt or switch locomotives in rail yards (generally located on central portions of large cities or at the crossroads of major rail distribution hubs); iv) underground mining locomotives, and v) line haul locomotives. Since 2002, there has been an intense activity in the global development of fuel cell technology for the rail industry for both passenger and freight markets. This work is supposed to present, based on the compilation of information from a multitude of acknowledged sources, a review of fuel cell rail technology, followed by an overview of fuel cell rail experiences and feasibility studies, highlighting their main outcomes, as well as fuel cell technology potential to offer lower operational costs (fuel and maintenance) and improved performance for the rail industry.

The science and technology used in highway crossings in the United States and around the world have come a long way from a single flagman sitting in a booth, equipped with a red flag or lantern in his hand, to clear tracks and stop pedestrians, horses, and or a motor coaches for an approaching train to a fully automatic warning system requiring limited monthly testing. Today’s highway crossings are monitored by railways and municipalities such that, any changes in railway or roadway traffic conditions can be scrutinized. These changes, an increase in train or vehicle traffic, may trigger the need for additional protection devices to be implemented to make highway crossings safer for all; passing trains, motorists and pedestrians. But, are these requirements enough to eliminate accidents. Historically speaking, these accidents range from; failures with the activation of the warning system; distracted motorists or motorists not willing to comply to the warning; pedestrians rushing to beat the train while underestimating the trains speed or; fully knowing and willing to not stop at the flashing lights and gates and willing to take the risk and go around flashing gates. This paper will investigate the current and future technologies that are being tested and implemented on highway crossings as well as look into the predictive behavior of motorists and pedestrians as they approach crossings and how changes can be implemented to maximize the effectiveness of a highway crossing. Key elements from various studies will be included that have been suggested through analyzing driver’s behavior at highway crossings, as well as the additional technologies that have and can be implemented to provide additional warnings to alert motorist of trains approaching.

The first and last mile of a trip has been used to describe passenger travel with regards to getting to and from transit stops/stations. Solving the first and last mile (FMLM) problem extends the access to transportation systems and enlarges the number of passengers from a remote community, such as rural areas. The FMLM problem has been addressed in different public transit contexts, mainly within urban areas. However, it is also an important part of the journey in an intercity trip; yet, limited research efforts have been undertaken to examine the FMLM problem that intercity passenger train riders face. This paper fills in this gap and further, aims to identify the best strategies that could serve as a FMLM solution for short distance intercity passenger rail service (i.e., corridors that are less than 750 miles long according to the Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act, 2008). The Hoosier State Train (HST) service, a short-distance intercity passenger rail that connects Chicago and Indianapolis four days a week, was chosen as a case of study. The HST has four intermediate stops located in Indiana. For some of those intermediate stops HST is the only intercity public transit service offered to reach either Chicago or Indianapolis. In order to explore opportunities to enhance the HST ridership, an on-board survey was conducted in November and December 2016. The findings of this survey suggested that there are riders who travel from counties further away from a county with a station to reach and complete their journey on the train. Moreover, it was found that most of the respondents drove or rented a car, or were dropped off to reach a train station in Indiana. Unlike the results from the Chicago station, the majority of riders boarding the train from one of the Indiana stations did not use ridesharing services or public transportation. These findings suggest that there is a possible gap into the FMLM travel options for intercity rail riders and alternative options to fill this gap should be considered. This paper discusses the case study results of an accessibility analysis aiming to identify the areas in need of first/last mile service where there are no public transportation services and/or it is costly to reach a station from a desired origin. To that end, a cost surface for the different modes available in the area of study was created to determine the average travel cost to the nearest station. The analysis was carried out in ArcGIS using origin-destination data from the on-board survey, transportation network information from the U.S. Bureau Transportation Statistics, and general transit feed specification (GTFS) data. Subsequently, some of the best strategies identified were modeled around the station (e.g., shuttle buses to/from the station) in order to examine how the accessibility would increase after a strategy implementation. The results of this study may have far-reaching implications for planning strategies that can enhance access to the train stations. Finally, the FMLM strategies could assist intercity passenger rail service providers attract a larger number of passengers.

This work intends to lay the groundwork for Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)-based occupant safety of a typical tier-III Indian Railway (IR) passenger coach in a collision accident. Our previous work presented in International Crashworthiness Conference 2010 under the title “Simulation of Crash Behaviour of a Common Indian Railway Passenger Coach” provided crashworthiness assessment of a typical tier-III passenger coach structure for representative head-on collision scenarios namely, against an identical passenger coach and against a stationary locomotive. These scenarios were envisioned to be part of a bigger accident scenario e.g - head-on collision between two trains moving towards each other. Analysis of involved chain of events for entire rolling stock and resulting internal collisions between individual passenger cars was out of scope of this work and necessary inputs were obtained from available literature on the same. This work used a full scale Finite Element (FE) simulation model and commercial explicit solver LS-Dyna. FE model was validated using International Railway Union (UIC) code OR566 specified proof loads for design. Simulation methodology used for dynamic impact was validated by component level crushing experiments using a drop tower facility. Material modelling incorporated strain rate effect on yield strength which is essential for obtaining accurate structural deformations under dynamic impact loading. Contacts were modelled using the penalty method option provided by the solver. This model was simulated for collisions at 30, 40 and 56 km/h against a stationary rigid barrier. Collision speeds were chosen to simulate impact energies involved in collision scenarios as mentioned above. The structure was found to exhibit global bending deformation and jackknifing with pivot position at the door section. In this paper, we present an extension of this work — coupled occupant safety simulation and injury assessment. It was accomplished by recording head, neck, chest and knee responses of a Hybrid-III 50 th percentile male Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) FE model, seated in passenger position on lower berth of the first cabin of a passenger car. Interiors were modelled to represent the actual structure. Dummy model was adapted to passenger cabin’s excessive mobility conditions and responses were revalidated against Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) limits. Injury interpretation was based on Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), automotive injury criteria and injury risk curves for Head Injury Criterion (HIC), thoracic spine acceleration, neck bending moment in flexion and extension and knee force. This study provides with estimates of injury and fatality based on computer simulation of accident scenarios. However, attempts of correlating to any available injury and fatality statistics were out of scope of this study.

Ridership on Midwest passenger rail lines has been steadily increasing over the past two decades. Between 2005 and 2014, there has been a growth of more than 65 percent, much higher than the national average (approximately 30 percent for the same years). Nevertheless, a number of lines have discontinued their services or are in danger of discontinuance. For example, Kentucky Cardinal, operating between Chicago, Illinois and Louisville, Kentucky was discontinued in 2003, and the Three Rivers train, operating between Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York was discontinued in 2005. The Hoosier State train running between Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois would have faced the same fate recently, if not for the financial support that the state and communities have been providing since 2013. As of October 1, 2013, the State of Indiana, local communities, and Amtrak reached an agreement to support the Hoosier State line for the following fiscal year (2013–2014), and the agreement has continued ever since. In the meantime, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) was the first nationally to announce a Request for Proposals to seek competing solutions from independent providers, as allowed by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), in order to obtain private-sector competitive bids for the operation of the Hoosier State train. Recently, after many unfruitful attempts and many obstacles, INDOT reached an agreement with Iowa Pacific Holdings. The company has been providing the locomotives for the line since August 2015, and collaborates with Amtrak to keep the train in service, with a shared vision to increase service frequency, improve speed and maintain a reliable schedule, and provide better on-board amenities. However, to ensure the financial viability of the system and support any improvement or expansion, an increase in ridership is necessary. To achieve this, it is essential that we understand the opinions of Indiana residents, passengers of the Hoosier State train, and advocates of the line towards passenger rail. This paper presents the results of a survey that was conducted on board the Hoosier State train to solicit information pertaining to the perceived ease of use and usefulness of the passenger rail services, riders’ opinions, and other factors that might affect behavior toward passenger rail transportation, as well as factors that affect an individual’s mode choice in general, such as habitual automobile behavior, or external impedance factors like schedule and route restrictions. The survey was endorsed by INDOT and approved by Amtrak and Iowa Pacific Holdings. In addition, this paper presents how opinions toward passenger rail differ among different groups based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, familiarity with passenger rail transportation in general and the Hoosier State train specifically, and usage. Furthermore, in order to prioritize service improvements that can foster an increase in the Hoosier State ridership, this paper explores mode choice decisions through the use of a multi-attribute attitude model. The results of this paper can guide policy and planning decision making that aims to foster an increase in passenger rail ridership through a mode shift from personal automobiles and competing mass transportation systems, such as airlines and intercity buses.

This paper discusses the feasibility of shedding electrical demand associated with passenger coach HVAC systems during periods of peak traction needs, with the goal of right-sizing the main engine on a passenger locomotive, and possibly eliminating the HEP. In this study, train operation simulations were conducted to determine the sustained durations of peak traction needs on typical commuter and long distance routes. The simulation results were combined with thermal analyses of a sample passenger coach to investigate whether the required comfortable temperature range could be maintained for the durations of peak traction needs, with the HVAC system deactivated. Additionally, a review of available technology for load-shedding, and an economic analysis were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of implementing load shedding on passenger trains. The study showed that an appropriate load shedding strategy can be implemented without adversely impacting the industrywide passenger comfort standards and eliminating the capital and maintenance costs associated with an HEP.

The overall project objectives included the development of accessibility specifications for the single and bi-level cars that can be used by the rail manufacturing industry to produce vehicles for HSR passenger rail. The specific objective included developing “virtual” models of space to accommodate wheeled mobility devices without sacrificing revenue seating. The “virtual” models developed permit both calibration and validation of the recommendations that were submitted to the PRIIA accessibility working group. The working group requested that prior to acceptance of the recommendations that they be validated and calibrated. The use of “virtual” validation tools and models permitted the development, validation and calibration of different spatial configurations and different types of wheeled mobility devices prior to full scale testing. The design wheeled mobility device was a power base. Unoccupied larger scooters were also evaluated for stowage with the assumption that scooter users would transfer to regular train seats. This project extends the work undertaken in the development of the draft specifications for the Accessibility Working Group. The draft specifications incorporate the increase in the size of both the wheeled mobility devices and occupants as a reflection of the changes in population demographics. The validation work has used the Acela cars to serve as base models for the 2-D and 3-D renderings. These designs are optimized, validated, and calibrated with manikins that represent the 5 th and 95 th percentile populations on large wheeled mobility devices including; sport manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and four wheeled scooters that meet the 30 inch wide by 54 inch long footprint. The large scooter that meets the 30 inch by 54 inch long footprint does not fit inside the accessible restrooms and also compromises seating space in the coach. The powerbase and manual wheelchairs work the current Acela trainsets.

The more demanding safety and comfort requirements combined with the increasing maximum speed of trains have lead to a growing concern in aspects such as the determination of the modal parameters of railway vehicles. Until now, the modal parameters of a vehicle have been obtained by EMA (Experimental Modal Analysis) based on the application of an impact force on the vehicle frame. However this kind of test is not optimal for railway vehicles because, due to their large dimensions, an impact force is unable to excite all the points of the structure. Also, with this method only the structural modes can be analyzed. Because of these drawbacks, a new modal analysis methodology is proposed, in which the excitation force comes from a specially designed shaker mounted under a point of a test track. In this manner, real excitation conditions can be simulated and it allows to determine not only the structural modes, but also the vibration modes associated with the suspensions. In first place, a description of the test facilities is presented. Afterwards, we present a test carried out in one of the coaches of a high speed train. The instrumentation employed, test methodology and test results are described. Finally, the test results are compared with the results obtained from a modal test in which impact excitation was used. Also the vibration modes obtained in the test are compared with the theoretical ones, which have been calculated with a combination of a FEM (Finite Element Method) and a MBS (Multi-Body Simulation).

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study done on an electro-diesel locomotive in order to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the vehicle in terms of safety, running performance and wheel-track interaction. The vibration analysis has been made by means of different experimental methodologies. The first one consists on the acquisition of accelerations at points located at the wheelset, the truck frame and the coach, using piezorresistive accelerometers. The registered signals allow to validate the locomotive in terms of safety against derailment and running behavior, according the UIC 518 leaflet. The second method is based on the modal analysis theory and includes the dynamic properties estimation under vibrational excitation. This procedure takes into account the determination of modal parameters such as natural frequencies, modal damping ratios and mode shapes, by means of a control hydraulic actuator. The third methodology consists on the operational modal analysis done with the experimental measurements acquired on track tests, in order to validate the results obtained by modal analysis and evaluate the dynamic behavior under different speed ranges and cant deficiencies. Several tests have been done by means of the described methods in an electro-diesel locomotive composed by a primary suspension with dampers and a secondary suspension with rigid stiffness. In addition, two types of dampers have been evaluated with the purpose of optimizing the damping properties of the vehicle’s primary suspension. Through these experimental methods, a useful tool for the prediction and analysis of the dynamic behavior is provided. Additionally, the results obtained by means of these methodologies permit examining the influence of different running conditions and vehicle properties on the modal parameters.

This paper reviews forms of spiral geometry that have been used and proposed as transition shapes in railroad tracks and compares them with respect to dynamic performance and spiral length. The dynamic performances that are compared were calculated using the Gensys rail vehicle motion simulation program and a well known model of the Eurofima coach. The results illustrate: 1) the dynamic disturbance caused by the discontinuity of first derivatives of track curvature and twist with the conventional ‘linear’ spiral; 2) the better dynamic performance of other simple forms of spiral including the virtually perfect performance of two of those forms; and 3) the amounts by which lengths of alternative spirals exceed that of the conventional ‘linear’ spiral for the example transition..

This paper describes the results of quasi-static and dynamic tests of a new shock energy absorber (SEA) capable of high energy absorption while limiting peak dynamic force magnitude in the event of an impact or collision. The SEA utilizes the unique reversible phase transition behavior of Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly-Ethylene (UHMWPE) material under pressure. A prototype drop hammer test confirmed the device’s high energy absorption as well as high damping capabilities at a relatively high deformation rate. The results of the test were used to calibrate a finite element (FE) model that enabled scalability of the SEA for practical applications. Preliminary design and FE simulations were made under a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sponsored program toward using a set of SEA as a part of a crash energy management (CEM) system to improve locomotive crashworthiness. The main objective of the program was to prevent locomotive override in the event of an inline collision with a hopper car consist at a closing speed of 30 mph. The FE model, without CEM, was validated to a previously performed full-scale locomotive crashworthiness test at Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), Pueblo. The FE simulation results with added CEM system showed successful prevention of locomotive override up to 32.1 mph collision speed. Further scope of using suitably tailored SEA units as buffers to the ends of passenger coaches and tank cars with the objective of enhancing their crashworthiness is discussed.

Typically, the costs for traction energy add up to 20% or more of the total train operating costs with electric locomotives in Europe. Therefore, there is a high incentive for the railroads to reduce energy consumption and thus to improve operating margins. Additionally, rising costs for energy as well as environmental aspects will increase the need to reduce energy consumption in the future. Firstly, on electric locomotives the largest energy savings are obtained from power regeneration at braking. In this mode the locomotive acts as a moving power generator feeding energy back into the catenary network. Savings are typically in the range of 10 to 30%. Secondly, the driving style has a high impact on energy costs. Energy consumption can be lowered by more than 20% through an energy conscious driving style compared to aggressive driving. Thirdly, the energy efficiency of the whole traction chain is important. Electric locomotives designed for AC catenaries have an overall energy efficiency of up to 86%. Locomotives designed for 1.5 or 3 kV DC catenaries can have an overall energy efficiency of up to 90%. New technologies can potentially help to increase the power efficiencies even further. Apart from using efficient diesel engines, the fuel costs of diesel-electric locomotives can be reduced much in the same way as with electric locomotives. Regeneration of braking power on diesel-electric locomotives is, however, limited to feeding the auxiliaries and head end power (HEP) to passenger coaches. In Europe the energy costs per hauled ton-km are typically much lower with electric than with diesel traction. This gives dual-powered locomotives the advantage of overall lower energy costs for operation on both electrified and non-electrified networks. First estimates show that the total energy costs (diesel and electric operation) can be reduced by more than 35% in a mixed network with 80% electrification with a dual-powered locomotive compared to a diesel locomotive running the same train on the same route. In addition, the dual-powered locomotive provides major cost savings and increased quality of service with a one seat ride.

This paper presents a real-world application of Root Cause Analysis methods that were applied to analyze and resolve a side door problem that was occurring on a particular fleet of coach cars operated by Amtrak. The foundation of a Root Cause Analysis program is a disciplined engineering process designed to identify physical, human and latent roots of chronic or sporadic problems. This paper presents the engineering challenges encountered while conducting root cause analysis of a complex coach car side doors problem. The coach car side doors system exhibited undesirable characteristics when in service. Mechanical staff received multiple reports that during station stops all of the open side doors would unexpectedly close even though the train speed was at zero. During this unexpected side door closing sequence all of the obstacle detection systems were disabled presenting a potential hazard to the traveling public. The side doors Root Cause Analysis team found the Physical Root cause of failure to be located in the door system software code — a finding that was never suspected following years of trouble with the side doors. As a result of this finding, the door manufacturer corrected the software and issued revised software to be installed fleet-wide. The Human and Latent Root causes were addressed through the development of a standard operating procedure and training for conductors and crew on the proper operation of side doors. The Root Cause Analysis method proved to be a powerful and productive process for achieving a solution to a chronic passenger side door problem.

Screw spikes, also known as coach screws, are an advanced alternative to common cut spikes for track fastening. Despite their ability to secure tie plates with a clamp load and utilization of high strength steels, they are still susceptible to bending fatigue failure from lateral wheel loads. A novel method of measuring these bending loads on screw spikes was developed and implemented to characterize the load environment of the screw spikes. Results indicated that measured peak bending loads under lateral wheel loads reached as high as 10,000 lbs for individual spikes, while others carried no load whatsoever. A finite element model was developed to determine the tensile stress fields created by the measured bending loads. A good correlation was found between the FEA model predicted point of highest stress and the location of fracture. Through the testing and analysis it was determined that lateral wheel loads are not distributed evenly among the four screw spikes of a single tie plate. Instead, it was found that one spike carried nearly no load while the spike opposite of it carried more load. Using the finite element analysis it was determined that the spike exposed to the higher loading was subjected to tensile stresses above its endurance limit, which would eventually lead to a bending fatigue failure.

On March 23, 2006, a full-scale test was conducted on a passenger train retrofitted with newly developed cab and coach car crush zone designs. This test was conducted as part of a larger testing program to establish the degree of enhanced performance of alternative design strategies for passenger rail crashworthiness. The alternative design strategy is referred to as Crash Energy Management (CEM) where the collision energy is absorbed in defined unoccupied locations throughout the train in a controlled progressive manner. By controlling the deformations at critical locations, the CEM train is able to protect against two very dangerous modes of deformation: override and large scale lateral buckling. The CEM train impacted a standing locomotive-led train of equal mass at 30.8 mph on tangent track. The interactions at the colliding interface and between coupled interfaces performed as designed. Crush was pushed back to subsequent crush zones, and the moving passenger train remained in-line and upright on the tracks with minimal vertical and lateral motions. This paper evaluates the functional performance of the crush zone components during the CEM test. The paper discusses three areas of the CEM consist: the leading cab car end, which interacts with a standing locomotive; the coupled interfaces, which connect the CEM non-cab end; and the trailing cab car end, which interacts with the attached trailing locomotive. The paper includes a description of the crush zone features and performance. The pushback coupler must absorb energy in a controlled progressive manner and prevent lateral buckling by allowing the ends of the cars to come together. The deformable anti-climbers are required to resolve non-longitudinal loads into planar loads through the integrated end frame while minimizing the potential for override. The energy absorbers must absorb energy in a controlled progressive manner. The engineer’s space must be preserved so that the engineer can ride out the event. The passenger space must be preserved so that the passengers can ride out the event. The prototype CEM design presented in this paper met all the functional design requirements. This paper describes how the crush zones perform at three different interfaces. Areas for potential improvements include the design of the primary energy absorbers, the placement of the engineer’s compartment, and the interaction between the last coach car and the trailing locomotive.

Federal Track Safety Standards require daily measurements of car body and truck accelerations on trains operating at speeds above 125-MPH. In compliance with this requirement, twelve high-speed Acela coaches, operating in the Northeast Corridor between Boston, MA, and Washington DC, have been equipped with remote monitoring systems. The systems provide continuous measurement of car body and truck motions, detect various acceleration events, tag them with GPS time and location information, and deliver the data to Central Processing Stations through wireless communications channels. The Central Processing Stations installed at the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and ENSCO, Inc., headquarters provide email and pager notifications to designated Amtrak officers and also make the data available to them over secure Intranet and Internet connections. The overall architecture has multiple levels of protection and redundancy in order to ensure high reliability and availability of the service. The systems have been in continuous operation for over a year and provided a multitude of valuable information. Examples of system-reported acceleration events include events caused by track irregularities and train handling. The paper also describes some of the real-life operational scenarios and situations that arise when autonomous remote monitoring systems are used, including wireless communications coverage issues, GPS location pitfalls, and maintenance issues.

There is an ongoing research program in the United States to investigate and improve rail equipment crashworthiness. As part of this effort, a series of full-scale rail vehicle crash tests are being performed to investigate the crash response of existing and future rail vehicle designs. The first full-scale test, an impact of a single passenger coach car into a fixed wall, was conducted at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado on November 16, 1999. The test vehicle used was a Pioneer passenger coach car. The test condition was a 35 mph impact into a fixed rigid concrete wall. Collision response data was collected in the test using accelerometers, strain gauges, string potentiometers, and high-speed photography. This paper describes the postmortem documentation and data analysis process. The objective is to develop an understanding of the vehicle collision response and to obtain a consistent correlation of the various sources to data. Specific documentation and data analysis techniques used for the study are described along with key results.

This paper presents information on the design of a rail vehicle crush zone for better occupant protection. The overall design requirements and characteristics are described and the configuration for the various structural subsystems is presented. The paper also includes information on full-scale component tests carried out to support the development of the design, particularly for the primary energy absorbers. Comparisons between test and finite element analysis are presented and there is a discussion of how the test results have affected the design.

Due to the consideration of fragile security, and longer check-in times and inconveniences due to increased air travel security examination since September 11 th 2001, more and more people have turn to ground transportation. Unfortunately, the inefficient, environment-unfriendly and unsafe passenger cars and buses are the only choices available for middle distance trips. Development of high efficiency, clean and high speed railroad passenger transportation system has become more necessary to overcome this weak link. In this paper, the applicability of hybrid drive train technologies for middle-distance passenger train locomotives will be investigated. A systematic design of the diesel based hybrid locomotive helps to increase efficiency, improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and also reduce mass production costs. Furthermore, professional management and maintenance of railroad train locomotives make such new technologies more practical than for road vehicles. The success of such transportation system will have a great positive impact on our social activities, quality of life, energy supply, environment and economy. A diesel based hybrid electric locomotive (HEL) with batteries or an ultracapacitor is an option to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and provide better performance and fuel economy. The reduced fuel consumption helps reduce the amount of pollutants released. Engineering estimation indicate that emissions will be reduced by 70% and fuel efficiency will be increased by at least 30% in hybrid locomotives.

The paper describes the findings of an experiment that is a result of close collaboration among four companies. The paper discusses the experiment on one locomotive by using a microprocessor-based relay, Multiple Function Relay (MFR) SEL-701, for on-line measurement, control and optimization of a HEP (Head End Power) group. The HEP has a Diesel engine, 810 HP/908 HP, 1800 rpm, and a double wound three-phase self excited synchronous alternator, 625 kVA, 575 V. The HEP group is installed on the locomotive and supplies the electrical hotel power to the train’s coaches. The relay SEL-701 ( S chweitzer E ngineering L aboratories) measures the Diesel engine temperatures on 7 different points and the winding temperatures at 3 internal points, one per each phase. The SEL-701 monitors alternator output currents and voltages and controls one (or both) train lines when the Diesel engine’s hottest temperature equals the maximum admissible temperature. Amongst others the paper highlights the benefits derived by use of on-line measurements of the Diesel engine before and after relocation of a pre-existent engine shutdown temperature probe. In addition, the paper discusses the decrease in the numbers of Diesel engine shut downs due to the modified mode of protection and the increase in available electrical power supplied to the train lines together with the comparison of the HEP group efficiency before and after modification.