How many miles to the gallon does a locomotive get?

208,712,027,000 ton-miles / 423,998,863 gallons = 492 ton-miles per gallon. In other words, CSX trains, on average, can move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a gallon of fuel, based on our 2018 revenue ton miles and 2018 fuel use.

How much fuel does a locomotive burn per hour?

As the table in Figure 5 demonstrates, fuel consumption for conventional locomotives can vary from a low of around 3 gallon per hour (gph) while idling, up to a high range of 188 gph while at maximum notch. The most common switch engines for use in intermodal yards would be similar to the GP 9 or GP 38 locomotives.

How much fuel does a locomotive burn at idle?

Using an average of 3.5 gallons of fuel burned per hour idling per locomotive – some easy math shows an annual consumption of over 20 million gallons of excess idle, which is over 4% of the total annual fuel consumption for that particular Class I railroad – do we have your attention yet?

How much fuel does a train locomotive carry?

On average, a locomotive can hold 4,000 gallons of fuel, which it can be powered twice during its daily trip. It is the job of railroads to run their own fueling facilities.

How many gallons of diesel does a locomotive use?

How Much Fuel Does A Train Consume? Train logs show that the typical locomotive carries 3,000 tons of freight 500 miles and burns 3,049 gallons of diesel fuel as well. Based on 3000 tons and 500 miles, the amount would be 492 ton miles per gallon for freight haul.

Learn How Trains can Carry 1 Ton of Freight Nearly 500 Miles using 1 Gallon of Diesel Fuel

How far can a train go before refueling?

Fuel Efficiency - CSX.com. According to the AAR, moving freight by rail is 4 times more fuel efficient than moving freight on the highway. CSX trains can move a ton of freight approximately 492 miles on a single gallon of fuel.

How much does it cost to fuel a train?

Fuel is self-explanatory and costs $27,250,000. Metrolink averages 2.7 gallons per train-mile with their heavier new Rotem cars and long consists and budgets $3.75 per gallon, which represents $10.125 per mile.

How big is a train fuel tank?

Typically, a locomotive has a fuel capacity of 4,000 gallons of fuel and will be fueled twice per week.

How often do trains need to refuel?

How Often Do Locomotives Need Fuel? Locomotives typically have a fuel capacity of 4,000 gallons and are fueled twice a week. Fueling facilities are owned and operated by railroads.

Where do trains store fuel?

Fuel Tank. This huge tank in the underbelly of the locomotive holds up to 5,500 gallons (20,820 liters) of diesel fuel, plus an additional 300 gallons (1,135 liters) of coolant, and 250 gallons (946 liters) of engine oil.

How much does it cost to run a train per mile?

Across the Amtrak system, the full cost to operate a train tends to land in the range of $0.30 to $0.70 per passenger-mile, though that number is dependent on a lot of things, perhaps the most important being the number of passengers onboard.

Why do trains idle all night?

Engines may be left idling to maintain important safety related functions such as maintaining engine temperature, air pressure for the brake system, the integrity of the starting systems, the electrical system and providing heating or cooling to a train's crew and/or passengers.

How many miles does a locomotive last?

We have one of the newest locomotive fleets in the industry. A typical BNSF locomotive will travel up to 4.8 million miles in its lifetime - equal to about 20 trips from the earth to the moon.

How long can a locomotive idle?

Regulations in Place. 10 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a railway company must ensure that the locomotives in its active fleet do not idle for more than 30 minutes.

Are trains more fuel efficient than trucks?

On average, railroads are three to four times more fuel efficient than trucks. That means moving freight by rail instead of truck lowers greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%, on average.

What fuel does train use?

What do trains use for fuel? Trains use diesel, electric, and steam power for fuel. Upon the genesis of the railroad, steam was utilized, as it was the standard for many industries.

How often do trains change oil?

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration used to require changing of the oil in the main engine every 92 days. That interval has since been extended to 180 days and can be longer based on oil condition.

Can trains run out of gas?

“It's not uncommon for trains to run out of fuel here,” the spokeswoman, Vernae Graham, said. “It happens from time to time.” This summer, a locomotive traveling on the same Pacific Surfliner route ran out of fuel, Ms. Graham said, as did a train in the Pacific Northwest last year.

Why are diesel locomotives left running?

Diesel locomotives are slowly disappearing from the Indian Railway scene. The amount of fuel-dependency and the maintenance issues which come along with diesel engines are the primary reason for this.

How much diesel does it take to start a train engine?

Much depends on the size of the composition, because it varies according to the weight of cargo being added to the total weight of the composition (train) and the type of engine power and speed and he travels and the type of slope of the rail line can reach 50 liters of diesel per kilometer, or hours worked, because ...

How much horsepower does a train engine have?

A modern locomotive can have anywhere from 1000 to 18,000 horsepower, depending on the power source, model, and year of production. The average power of a train engine can vary greatly, but almost all options offer a level of strength and durability that would be unthinkable a few decades ago.

How much horsepower does a freight train engine have?

In today's new, six-axle freight locomotives this typically ranges from 4,300 to 4,400 horsepower. This amount is what actually makes it to the traction motors underneath the locomotive, but the engine produces more power than that.

How much is a locomotive worth?

So, How much do locomotives cost? A diesel locomotive could cost from $500,000-$2 million. While an electric locomotive could cost more than $6 million. Price depends on whether it is powered by AC or DC traction, how much horsepower it has, or what electronics it is equipped with.

How many cars can a train legally pull?

U.S. average: 6500 feet and climbing. 18,061 feet--but there's no legal limit on freight train length in the U.S. Average 70-car freight hauling 3000 tons. 295 cars with 618 piggy-backed shipping containers hauling 15,500 tons.

How fast do freight trains go?

Trains carrying freight are currently allowed to travel at speeds of up to 70 mph or 80 mph, but unloaded many trains generally only travel from 40-50 mph, according to FRA researchers.