Locomotive

Locomotive is the term used for a vehicle that propels a railroad train, that mainly consists of unpowered vehicles.^[1]

The first locomotives were powered by steam engines.^[1] In the 20th century locomotives powered diesel engines largely supplanted steam locomotives, except for legacy routes. Most diesel locomotive rely on their diesel motors turning an electic generator, that, in turn, powers electric motors, because the gearbox was a component of diesel-mechanical locomotives that wore out very frequently.

European railways largely use electrically powered locomotives, that tap an overhead power wire, through a pantograph

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "When Was the Steam Engine Invented? A Historical Overview". Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2026-02-03. The steam locomotive is a self-propelled vehicle, primarily used to pull unpowered cars hauling passengers or goods along tracks made of iron or steel rails. It consists of a boiler to produce steam at high pressures, usually two steam engines that convert the steam into mechanical work, and a running gear.

[strasburgrailroad2022-11-14-1] 1.0 ^1.1 "When Was the Steam Engine Invented? A Historical Overview". Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2026-02-03. The steam locomotive is a self-propelled vehicle, primarily used to pull unpowered cars hauling passengers or goods along tracks made of iron or steel rails. It consists of a boiler to produce steam at high pressures, usually two steam engines that convert the steam into mechanical work, and a running gear.

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