Abstract: A locomotive has a power bus that provides power to components of the locomotive when operating in a motoring mode or a charging mode. A plurality of batteries, one or more traction motors, and a charging source are all connected to the power bus. The batteries are operable to provide power to the power bus when operating in the motoring mode, and to receive power from the power bus when operating in the charging mode. The traction motors are operable to receive power from the power bus when the locomotive is operating in the motoring mode. The charging source intermittently provides charging power to the power bus to charge the batteries when the locomotive is operating in the motoring mode or in the charging mode. The charging source is selectively activated and deactivated based at least in part on the state of charge of the batteries.

Abstract: A locomotive comprises a DC power bus, traction motors, batteries, and a charging source, but has no prime mover engine. Each traction motor includes armature and field windings connected in parallel across the DC power bus. The batteries provide power to the DC power bus when in a motoring mode, and receive power from the DC power bus when in a charging mode and a dynamic braking mode. The charging source is connected across the DC power bus to provide charging power to the batteries when in the charging mode. The traction motors also provide charging power to the batteries when in the dynamic braking mode. The power from the charging source is less than the power that would be provided by a prime mover engine. The charging source provides no power to the traction motors when in the charging mode.

Abstract: A locomotive comprises a DC power bus, traction motors, batteries, and a charging source, but has no prime mover engine. Each traction motor includes armature and field windings connected in parallel across the DC power bus. The batteries provide power to the DC power bus when in a motoring mode, and receive power from the DC power bus when in a charging mode and a dynamic braking mode. The charging source is connected across the DC power bus to provide charging power to the batteries when in the charging mode. The traction motors also provide charging power to the batteries when in the dynamic braking mode. The power from the charging source is less than the power that would be provided by a prime mover engine. The charging source provides no power to the traction motors when in the charging mode.

Abstract: An energy recovery system for locomotives having a diesel engine to provide power for propulsion and also having non-propulsion electrical devices. The system includes a primary power battery to supply power to the non-propulsion electrical devices. The primary power battery is in electrical communication with a traction motor of the locomotive configured to send power to the primary power battery when the locomotive is coasting or braking.

Abstract: An energy efficient locomotive according to the disclosure utilizes a companion generator operably associated with a prime mover engine and electrically independent from a main generator. The companion generator is connected directly to a DC to DC regulator and is configured to supply a DC output to the DC to DC regulator for providing power for non-propulsion electrical devices when the locomotive is coasting or braking and the prime mover engine and main generator are not providing electrical power to the traction motor.

Abstract: A locomotive consist including a pair of fuel-electric locomotives, each having a prime mover engine and a power transmission system including a main generator and traction motors coupled to driving wheels, a high voltage electrical connection operable in an on state or an off state, and a computer controller. The pair of fuel-electric locomotives is configured to selectively cooperate to operate in three different operating modes as controlled by the computer controller: (1) a prime mover mode, (2) a mother/slug mode, and a mother/inoperative mode.

Abstract: A locomotive consist including a pair of fuel-electric locomotives, each having a prime mover engine and a power transmission system including a main generator and traction motors coupled to driving wheels, a high voltage electrical connection operable in an on state or an off state, and a computer controller. The pair of fuel-electric locomotives is configured to selectively cooperate to operate in three different operating modes as controlled by the computer controller: (1) a prime mover mode, (2) a mother/slug mode, and a mother/inoperative mode.

Abstract: A locomotive consist including a pair of fuel-electric locomotives, each having a prime mover engine and a power transmission system including a main generator and traction motors coupled to driving wheels, a high voltage electrical connection operable in an on state or an off state, and a computer controller. The pair of fuel-electric locomotives is configured to selectively cooperate to operate in three different operating modes as controlled by the computer controller: (1) a prime mover mode, (2) a mother/slug mode, and a mother/inoperative mode.

Abstract: An energy efficient locomotive according to the disclosure utilizes a companion generator operably associated with a prime mover engine and electrically independent from a main generator. The companion generator is connected directly to a DC to DC regulator and is configured to supply a DC output to the DC to DC regulator for providing power for non-propulsion electrical devices when the locomotive is coasting or braking and the prime mover engine and main generator are not providing electrical power to the traction motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling rebuilding of locomotives by replacing the existing two-stroke diesel engine with a four-stroke diesel engine, while retaining the generator and its associated electronics.