How it works

When running the Maybach MD655 engine (1) rotates the Engine to Transmission cardan shaft coupled to the transmission.

Using internal gears, two smaller cardan shafts mounted on top of the transmission rotate the dyno-starter and hydrostatic oil pump for the cooling fans (3).

The dyno-starter provides 110 volts for the electrical systems operating on the locomotive and acts as the starter motor for the diesel engine.

The hydrostatic oil pump works constantly and a small electrically operated valve diverts oil to the fans to turn them as required. 

When the driver selects the direction for movement the transmission (2) convertor 1st stage (gear) fills with oil and the diesel engine now begins to rotate this oil, rather like a ships propeller in water.

Face to face with this ‘propeller’ is another similar ‘propeller’ which begins to rotate too and this is coupled to another cardan shaft leading to the bogie mounted Intermediate gearbox (4).

In this gearbox a combination of bevel and wheel gears transmit the drive downwards.

From there, cardan shafts (5) transmit the drive to the axle mounted final drive gearboxes (6).

As the locomotive moves forward gaining speed the converters change, from 1st to 2nd at around 37 mph and then from 2nd to 3rd at around 63 mph (up to a maximum speed of 90 mph).

Class 52 Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive – D1013 Western Ranger in section

  1. Maybach MD655 engine
  2. Voith L630rV transmission
  3. Engine water cooling fans
  4. Intermediate gearbox
  5. Cardan shafts   
  6. Final drive gear box
  7. Radiator elements
  8. Air intake grills
  9. Engine Intercooler
  10. Train steam heating boiler
  11. Second engine
  12. Battery boxes & batteries
  13. Bogie

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