Article on Diesel locomotives

written by someone with a sense of humor.

[orion.math.iastate.edu]

The first paragraph:

A Diesel engine is an amazing assortment of bolts, nuts, valves, heaters, coolers, expanders, contractors, and other gadgets too numerous to mention here. All of these are screwed and welded together to form a single unit. This resulting unit is expected to start out with below the usual grade of fuel oil and change it into BTU -- then BTU into MEP -- then MEP into RPM -- then RPM into BHP -- then BHP into KWH. Then the electrical gear takes over and makes BHP out of KWH and RPM out of BHP, and then, if everything is in working order, you finally get MPH. All of this takes place in a fraction of a second in the confines of an all-too-small engine room. This gives you a rough idea of the confusion characteristic to all Diesel Freight Units.


Bruce