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0 pointsbluGill5y ago0 comments

Most freight is carried by diesel trains. While it is possible to use electric engines, the ecconmics don't work out and so only a minority of freight is on electric trains.

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Beatus5y ago

Are you talking about the world or the US? Living in europe, I‘ve never seen a diesel train and the economics are just fine for electric trains.

AnimalMuppet5y ago

There are diesel trains in Europe. They tend to be more on branch lines, though, with the main trunks being electric. (Electrifying every branch is not economic.)

In the US, it could still be done (and has), but the economics are not as compelling because the price of diesel is lower.

bluGillOP5y ago

I'm told that the big railroads in the US have a plan to electrify their main line. It remains a plan because the costs are more high enough that it isn't worth it. If they decide fuel costs will go up by enough they will dust off the plan and electrify.

giantrobot5y ago

Diesel-electric trains. They're basically Diesel generators with electric drive motors.

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