How a Diesel-Electric Locomotive Works

[@animagraffs]

VIDEO CORRECTIONS (complied from viewer comments): For questions about fuel usage calculations: www.factcheck.org/2008/07/fuel-efficient-freight-trains/ From user @briancelidonia8258: Some corrections (some nit-picky and some significant, mostly nitpicky): 00:00 Front door opens the other way on newer locomotives. This is in case the loco falls on over on the right side (blocking the rear exit door), the front door will flop open, allowing the crew to climb out without having to lift the door. 00:05 The small cranking transfer box shown on the left walkway has been removed for 10 years. (not mentioned in the description) 05:25 The "dummy" recepticle is shown having pins. The dummy doesn't have pins, that's why it is the dummy. 10:27 The Alternator Blower cooling air then cools the rectifier and inverters before exiting the loco. It does not just cool the alternator. 11:24 Only 4 inverter are shown on a 6 motor locomotive. 11:38 "This process may change". Not sure why it would. Inverter control uses "pulse width modulation" (PWM) or "six step" control to generate AC current wave-forms. There really are no other significantly different ways to do it. 12:10 The batteries are under the walkway, not under the aux cab. (way nit-picky on my part) 14:30 The sand boxes are only 1/4 the size that they should be. The nose cab boxes go all the way to the top where the fills are shown. Also, the rear sand fill is not on top of the radiators- maintainers could not reach that high to insert the sand fill hoses. The rear fill is actually about 6 feet above the deck...about eye level. 14:38 Most railroads do not use a 15 mph sand cutoff speed. Some have no cutoff at all. Some have different speeds depending on operating mode. 17:49 The stator exitation does not travel in reverse when the motor are in braking. It travels more slowly than rotor speed, but in the same direction. When in motoring, it travels more quickly than rotor speed...thus "inducing" current into the induction motor. However, I will grant that for general illustrative purposes, it does kind of get the point across (but it does not accurately depict how an induction motor works) 18:18 Grids are show backwards. As shown, the super hot air would burn any person exiting the operator cab on the right side where the rear door is. Blowers should be on the right, hot air exiting on the left. 20:18 "Smart Displays" are no longer used. These are now "dumb displays" called "TCD's" (thin client displays) 24:18 There is no "Smart Display" on the helpers console. Not sure what is shown there but it could be an Auxilliary Speed Indicator (ASI) which displays locomotive speed to the Conductor.

[@davidclark3304]

It appears that the small turbo may be shown with one side backwards. Minor detail. Aside from that, nice job.

[@51hankyspanky7]

It takes a real professional to document any corrections without having their ego burst. Much admired by me.

[@DounutCereal]

Hey just a heads up, the animation of the airflow through the radiators and the intercoolers is reversed to how it should be. Above the loco is usually full of hot exhaust from either itself or other locos leading them and their own heat output so they draw from the cooler air at either side of the loco and exhaust their heat out the top as well

[@onyxpartitian]

Some railroads have "smart" displays on the helpers console, but mostly just PTC displays are there. Did a really good job explaining these to people who haven't worked maintenance on them.

[@theodorethompson9032]

My experience the newer locomotives like the one in your video have AC traction motors...

[@Heatsrepeat]

10 year Conductor here. Exceptional video with almost zero errors in information! This is more info than any railroad gives its employees on how this equipment works. Nice video!

[@Kevscancave]

Absolutely correct statement!

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

How do you feel about trains causing what just happened in ohio

[@jakelandry5645]

​@@TheAnnoyingBoss trains didn't cause that, humans did. Inanimate objects can't pull their own triggers like the left can. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@mamoet1283]

​@@TheAnnoyingBoss I think it was the company cutting to many corners

[@BigMeechEJ25]

@@TheAnnoyingBoss Don't blame the train 😭

[@thomask4836]

Well Done Jake! I'm retired now but worked for a railroad training department for 28 years as an instructor and manager that developed videos and CBT. Your delivery is exceptional! Kudos To You!

[@thomask4836]

@Chris Ovrid - Hi Chris, that depends on whether or not you are already an engineer. Sometimes railroads recruit engineers but they also take people from in-house (e.g. laborers or mechanics) and put them through a training program. You would have to go through a training program and then get qualified on a particular route, train handling, and signals. Give BNSF or UP Human Resources a call or do a search for BNSF Jobs or Union Pacific Railroad Jobs and talk to them! Good Luck! Tom K.

[@jerryp2433]

Why can't they build car engines like this?

[@thomask4836]

@@jerryp2433 - How about it Jerry! Everything in a locomotive engine was expected to wear out or fail and could be changed out easily. There was a modular feel to all of the components. You could change out a piston AND its cylinder liner could be completely removed from the crankcase (on EMDs) or block (on GEs).

[@jamesdoyle5405]

When I retired as a locomotive machinist in 2018 this video represents state of the art at that time. Things like the second turbo are the result of ever stricter emissions requirements. This is video is an exceptional explanation of a diesel locomotive. Well done.

[@zenues]

Hi! Do you have any advice for someone starting a locomotive machinist apprentice? I got the job and start in a couple of weeks

[@jamesdoyle5405]

@zenues Congrats on your apprenticeship. First thing to remember is be safe always. No one ever was fired for being safe. You will be shadowing a journeyman for quite a while and you will get all the dirty jobs it's not personal it is just you are the apprentice. Pay attention and do take notes ( not obviously) just write what you learned that day because some journeymen hate to repeat themselves and expect you to pick things up the first time. Ask questions when you aren't sure . You passed the tests, the interviews you can do this . Good luck and have fun. Railroading is a great career.

[@zenues]

@@jamesdoyle5405 thank you brother! I’m just trying to pick the brains of all the veteran machinists I see online cause y’all knowledge is gold to me.

[@mark33545]

Surprised they just dump all that brake energy off as heat!

[@zenues]

@@jamesdoyle5405hey I’m moving the trains in the barn and servicing them all by myself. My lead man watches over me but he trusts me enough now. Thank you for the advice, I’ve been taking tons of notes too

[@ScottSchapiro]

The time and effort that goes into the creation of these videos is very much recognized and appreciated. Keep up the great work!

[@oldtimer2192]

Absolutely brilliant video, much appreciated!

[@trezndawg4240]

I totally agree. A lot went into creating this video! Good work!

[@ash.mystic]

Watching videos like this reminds me of how ingenious humans can be, and to not take inventions like this for granted. It’s a humbling experience to see all the engineering and optimizations that go into designing a complex system like this. And there are so many disciplines involved: chemistry, electrical engineering, thermodynamics, material science, etc. It’s so impressive!

[@general5104]

@@ash.mystic This video just touched on the Locomotive. Your mind would be blown if you were to actually be on the Locomotive as it was being explained. I wish I had been shown this video before I started actually working on them. All of it would have made more since. The genius of this fellow, how he animates and narrates, is just amazing!

[@MosesMatsepane]

I have worked for many years on locomotives, and this is absolutely amazing. The Alerter system is called the "Vigilance System" in other parts of the world, I noticed that you put an extra effort to use both American and European descriptions for the components. Just throwing in my 2 cents, your video is already excellent.

[@brucewilliamsstudio4932]

As an electrical engineer who helped develop things like the crew alert, slow speed control, event recorder and a digital speedometer with pickups on the exterior of the wheels, I would have loved to see more information about this important technology (especially the all important event recorder or 'black box'). Slow speed traction control is super important as well to prevent 'burning' the wheels from excessive torque at very low speeds. Also of note is the huge number of relays used to control the locomotive. Over all this is an excellent video though and I'm impressed with the depth and breadth of information presented. Keep up the great work folks!

[@MosesMatsepane]

@@brucewilliamsstudio4932 You definitely know what you are talking about. The Slow Speed control was such as fascinating part of the locomotive, I miss those days. I personally was involved in analyzing close to one hundred accidents/incidents, using data from the Black Box recorder. I also built so many software tools and technologies that interface with locomotives, from Black Box decoders and diagnostic Systems to Fleet Management systems. Glad to see another locomotive engineer here, because it's such a niche field. When you tell people you're working on Locomotives they usually think of 19th century steam locomotives...🤣

[@mann_idonotreadreplies]

Cool story bro

[@johnvrabec9747]

My father was a diesel locomotive mechanic. It still amazes me how these machines can pull the amount of freight that they can from a dead stop.

[@user-mr3mf8lo7y]

It actually is not considered dead stop.. As long as any machine running before pull, it has the initial momentum agains that freight.

[@justinmiller1191]

Slack action helps with this.

[@rusty383]

Electric needs no transmission Just Pure power!

[@rusty383]

I have always wondered if a Engine has a bathroom and other Crew convenients. I also Wounder why they ever got rid of the Caboose for the Crew.

[@michaelsigismonde7958]

It can take them over a mile to stop, even in emergency.

[@darnit1944]

The intake air gets cooling, engine gets cooling, alternator gets cooling, traction motor gets cooling, the engineer gets cooling. This is why diesel locomotives are so cool

[@limbeboy7]

@@darnit1944 i think its abit much tbh. Electric ones would only need 1

[@HeydenHarvey]

@@limbeboy7 if electric motors were actually "better" though the market would've shown that

[@Fumbiii16]

You know what’s better than both and it’s a fact is coal. Far more torque and powerful than both diesel and electric and these were built way back.

[@Xaenith954]

"Babe wake up animagraffs uploaded"

[@curiodyssey3867]

Sounds like you might need to go back to bed, cuz you're dreaming bro 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💤

[@danmanthe9335]

#truth

[@7kakan]

"You are weird." Proceeds to go through 100s of stupid tiktoks

[@ianmanion2314]

Amazing product!!!!!!!!🎉

[@ucid5363]

@@7kakan too accurate💀🤦🏽‍♂️😂

[@JJRicks]

This is actually insane, I can't believe a video this good is free to watch. Absolutely incredible!!

[@chickey333]

Well, not really. We usually have to endure those pesky ads at the beginning and annoyingly throughout the presentation many times coming at interesting or critical times in the video. We pay with our time and frustration and at times lack of temperamental self control. 😡

[@carlsaganlives6086]

Top-shelf documentaries are always free, for the intellectually curious to enrich themselves, and others. On the other hand, if ya wanna own a stranger's used underwear, THAT will cost. Crazy world...

[@chickey333]

Crazy world... yes it is. I will agree, however, that enduring a few minor "inconveniences" during your very impressive presentation is hardly worth complaining about. It was very well done and you adding "VIDEO CORRECTIONS" to it was icing on the cake. Btw... there's no air freshener in the bathroom. Lord have mercy... As for the underwear... Skip Ads... Skip Ads ... Skip Ads...

[@electron2601]

I use KZbin pro where you don't ever see ads again. It's worth every penny.

[@chickey333]

@@electron2601 But then I wouldn't have anything to complain about. Thank You I'll look into that. :)

[@TomTheDon_]

As a German train driver I'm impressed by the details. Very good job!!!

[@JaredOwen]

Keep 'em coming - love these animations!

[@IShowVelocity.]

Yes

[@Siutailuo]

I know u you make the abrams tank video

[@pixelapse9613]

Bro you should make this animation

[@dqwd2ewe]

goods

[@KitchenFSink]

Great recognizes great

[@paulguillaume2617]

As a conductor in training, I learn better by seeing how and why things work, this helped me a lot. Thanksss

[@dylanbrown6401]

I just started as a diesel mechanic with UP and I must say it helps to fully understand how some of these things work. The best example of this is that turbocharger setup. I had no clue these things were compound turbocharged and I worked as an MSO for UP for a year before I became a mechanic. This video seems to be based on a GE AC4400CW

[@bobjohnson1587]

Still not too late to quit and get job that will allow you to have a life away from the job.

[@paulguillaume2617]

@@bobjohnson1587 I always wanted to become a conductor, but I know what you mean. This was my first holiday and now new year without family or friends

[@bobjohnson1587]

@@paulguillaume2617 Well, it won't be your last. So, you had better get used to spending holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. alone! Btw, the money can never bring all that back.

[@neddiego2570]

@@bobjohnson1587 It's none of your business.

[@3ffrige]

Not gonna lie. I’ve watched this particular video many many many times over and over again. It’s something about these animations that keep me intrigued. Your narration in these videos is absolutely outstanding. The way you seamlessly articulate the content is such a smooth and pleasant way whilst discussing an incredibly complex machine leaves me in awe. Had I been narrating this, all you’d be hearing is the phrase, “ummm”.

[@gt5577]

Agree. It’s so good I had to hit the subscribe button. Too good

[@milanstevic8424]

What are you talking about? These are well-produced, planned, and meticulously edited videos, like most quality videos on KZbin are. The text is scripted, narrated, and dubbed over a video in montage. He doesn't actually improvise on the spot. Why would he record himself going "ummm"? Have you watched any other educational video on KZbin?

[@SeanJAnimations]

@@milanstevic8424 Dude you took to much time to comment that.

[@milanstevic8424]

@@SeanJAnimations rest assured that it took me less time to write that than what took you to read it.

[@SeanJAnimations]

@@milanstevic8424 lol

[@wharris123184]

Jake makes the videos we didn’t know we needed. Instant like, sir. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@amarissimus29]

I actually woke up this morning with a burning need for a comprehensive tour through a modern locomotive. Luckily there are always several devices nearby recording my every thought and action, so up this came. To be sure, I would have enjoyed it even without the urge.

[@durango8882]

Absolutely

[@wannabecarguy]

So basically the train is a hybrid so the EPA doesn't need to bother them

[@TransbianKitty]

I have no interest in trains, I don't know anything about them, and yet here I was, I was entertained and informed for almost a half hour about them! Every video you put out is of the highest quality, thank you for making them!

[@gristlevonraben]

Maybe you are a mechanical engineer at heart?

[@patkelly6349]

Josephine trains are amazing.

[@gdroce8569]

Mee too 🤣🤣 entertained for days

[@DodgyDaveGTX]

I never had an interest in trains until I discovered what magnificent examples of complex engineering and sheer, massive power, they were. Also I recently started playing a VR train sim (Derail Valley) and now I'm obsessed 😁My younger self would've cringed so hard at this - but trains are fuckin' cool.

[@southernbustransportation]

@@DodgyDaveGTX I have had a interest in trains my whole life and they are indeed super cool! Ive rode a Norfolk Southern SD40-2 locomotive in the cab one time and it was very awesome. I also live near a CSX mainline which means multiple trains run through it every day! 😁

[@proskills2168]

Better than any training video I've ever seen, and I work for UP as a loco mechanic! Great job. Detail, content, & narration are A+.

[@buckan8r999]

Question, in your opinion as a mechanic, which components of the train need the most frequent maintenance? Are there systems that need maintenance more often?

[@3bydacreekside]

Heh training

[@brightmuronda2678]

We really don't give engineers enough credit. This is a masterpiece!

[@canlib]

What kind of credit do they need?

[@cesarpalmos8235]

@@canlib Hauling millions of tons of freight that keep the world moving.

[@blackhatch46]

Because they usually completely screw up something else related to or in that system.

[@davisdf3064]

Ah yes, the most efficient land transportation method ever invented. Such beautiful machines, and such a great video (the corrections on the pinned comment made it even better)!

[@garybulwinkle82]

The reason railroads are so efficient is because they never have to ascend any really steep grades; most tracks are dead level! Also, they travel at constant speeds through out their trip; they don't have to start and stop frequently like trucks and automobiles!

[@moonbounce]

All that federal money helps them keep going, otherwise not all that efficient.

[@RonaldMayDMD-nt3fd]

My grandfather was an engineer for Boston & Maine RR. Unfortunately he died before I ever had an opportunity to tour one of the massive movers!!! I certainly appreciate these marvelous and exceptional videos!!!

[@toomanyhobbies400]

I am a model railroader. Your easy to follow explainations help me learn more about real world locomotives, just like the ones that opperate on my layout. Thank you.

[@thomasclavinjr.3817]

Same here. This is the info I’ve wanted for years in a great visual way

[@Syclone0044]

Third!!

[@bernardsaucier2062]

Thank you for the excellent teaching video. I have shared with two of our grand children (one who is a college freshman & ‘thinks’ he may want to study engineering and the other a 10th grader who is (in addition to football) is interested in life. Thanks again for your time and expertise in breaking all this really complicated technology down where an average person can understand.

[@vanpenguin22]

You can't know how many years I've been curious about all things locomotive. However much time toil and treasure went into this, it was very well worth it. Fantastic piece of work.

[@GeocentricKingdom]

I used to work on locomotive engines. This video is crazy accurate and well animated! :)

[@Absts4ct]

I'm sorry but my english isn't so good, but can the Locomotive pull 907kg of frieght as far as 804 km using only 3.8 liter worth of fuel? the number doesn't seem real, or am I misunderstand something?

[@GeocentricKingdom]

That's hard for me to answer. The fuel tanks are almost 5000 gallons, and these half million pound machines pull much more than that, though they do need to refuel often. Your question is dealing with much smaller numbers, sorry!@@Absts4ct

[@Absts4ct]

@@GeocentricKingdom I've looked up the phrase "Trains can move 1 ton of freight around 500 miles on 1 gallon of fuel" That's a unit of traffic, but I thought it was mileage. That was the reason why I thought the number was crazy.🤓

[@madmanthan21]

One correction: 2:00 The ant-climber is to prevent locos from climbing on on top of the other in case of an accident, it instead deflects the oncoming train to the side. Otherwise excellent video as always.

[@jamesstuart3346]

The alti-climber actually has ridges in it that lock together with similar ridges on the other locomotive to reduce vertical movement in case of collision

[@FourDollaRacing]

The video views actually gets the content creator paid so your comments, no matter how accurate, don't mean *sh💩t*

[@madmanthan21]

@@FourDollaRacing ok buddy

[@unknown_user8449]

@@FourDollaRacing How is that at all relevant?

[@animagraffs]

Thanks manthanboeing for this in-depth tidbit. Really appreciate your knowledge, and others who helped clarify even more.

[@joshfoley8862]

This was absolutely amazing. I didn't think I would have sat through 25 minutes. It flew by. Great work my friend!

[@robsan52]

Railroader here, 22 yrs Switchman/Conductor and 21 yrs as locomotive engineer. This was really nicely done!

[@GCarnell]

I’ve been fortunate to be a part of this industry for over 35 years. This instructional video, while there may be a few items that may be different on certain engines, etc., without knit-picking, this, by far, is the very best that I’ve seen. Its quality, details, narration, accuracy, is truly amazing. Great job, Animagraffs!

[@LitoGeorge]

In the control cab, there are even reflections on the engine start panel. Incredible. Best video of it's kind on the web, period. Expertly narrated. Quality 11/10

[@felixcat9318]

I have always loved engineering cutaway drawings, and feel that this animation is their natural evolution! Thank you for this fascinating and meticulously detailed animation! This was very informative and the high degree of precise information enabled viewers to better understand and appreciate the outstanding design and engineering that goes on beneath the metalwork of these heavy haulers. It will surprise many that there's so much sophistication in what at first sight appears to be a brute force hauler!

[@felixcat9318]

@Steve Robinson Some things are best left to one's imagination...

[@chrisgore5835]

@felix cat, yes, the complexity and back up/safety aspects were an eye opener for me.

[@平和-v1z]

Another masterpiece from Animagraffs. Thank you so much for creating these extremely well-made animations!

[@DeWoodyard]

Understandable narration, non-interfering music, clear graphics… What's not to love?

[@marius.mihai71]

Respect to the engineers who designed and executed this incredible machine! Respect to the train drivers who daily operate this incredible machine! Finally, respect to Animagraffs for documenting, realizing and sharing this interesting information with us! Thank you!

[@RobertBreckenridge13]

Always had a general idea of how these things worked, but this is more detail than I ever thought I needed to know, and I loved every minute! It's so wild the number of energy conversions required. Diesel fuel to mechanical energy to AC power to DC power, to AC power again, and back to mechanical! Plus all the braking and cooling!

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

This is amazing. My dad was a train driver on this kind of locomotive for many years. As a kid I was fascinated by it and often he would bring all sort of technical drawings of the engines etc to study because he needed to know at least the basics. Thanks for the upload.

[@Vaporisers]

Hey man, your videos are absolutely amazing. 10/10. You deserve awards and you deserve to these videos pay for all your financial needs.

[@robertway5756]

I work at at a plant where we actually build these machines in Erie, Pa. I do electrical testing on the Aux cabs, control consoles, dynamic brakes, and other systems that you highlighted here. Absolutely excellent work on the animations in this video. I wish it could be shown here for the edification of all our employees, and I will share it with the other test technicians.

[@kimsland999]

There's a job going in my area for electrical fitter (train maintenance) position. I have this and electronics certificate (and IT) Even so, I'm concerned in interview (or on the job!) they'll say: What's the fault with this circuit? Whilst I can read skematics (or rather I can follow where wire go), I can also physically replace isolated equipment. I fall short when diagnosing exact voltage/current at some middle of the wiring somewhere! I'm very concerned about this. I can test 5Volts or 12 or 24 (or whatever the common voltage is at equipment) but to diagnose where it fell or stopped, um no idea. I should also admit my skematic skills are average at best. Fitting equipment, replacing stuff, or any actual computer stuff? I'd say high level of expertise. Would you recommend I apply (cutoff date in a week) or its not for me? Put it this way: car electrical drive me nuts (I am patient, but in my view they are illogical) is this like a car electricians job? Or can an IT (mainly) person who originally (way back) did an electrical fitting trade (plus electronics after that). Would I be ok or not? ie Apply or not?

[@robertway5756]

@@kimsland999 I'm not sure what you mean by "fitting" exactly. The stuff I work on is newly built so the problems are assembly related (missing wires, incorrectly posted wires, etc). It all comes down to logically isolating the problem in the end though regardless. I'd say go for it, cuz all they can say is no, and it sounds like a good opportunity to expand your knowledge base. (And I 100% agree about the car stuff, but it's not like that)

[@himbourbanist]

diesels have gotten really efficient and really powerful in recent decades. they're very impressive machines.

[@briancelidonia8258]

Some corrections (some nit-picky and some significant, mostly nitpicky): 00:00 Front door opens the other way on newer locomotives. This is in case the loco falls on over on the right side (blocking the rear exit door), the front door will flop open, allowing the crew to climb out without having to lift the door. 00:05 The small cranking transfer box shown on the left walkway has been removed for 10 years. (not mentioned in the description) 05:25 The "dummy" recepticle is shown having pins. The dummy doesn't have pins, that's why it is the dummy. 10:27 The Alternator Blower cooling air then cools the rectifier and inverters before exiting the loco. It does not just cool the alternator. 11:24 Only 4 inverter are shown on a 6 motor locomotive. 11:38 "This process may change". Not sure why it would. Inverter control uses "pulse width modulation" (PWM) or "six step" control to generate AC current wave-forms. There really are no other significantly different ways to do it. 12:10 The batteries are under the walkway, not under the aux cab. (way nit-picky on my part) 14:30 The sand boxes are only 1/4 the size that they should be. The nose cab boxes go all the way to the top where the fills are shown. Also, the rear sand fill is not on top of the radiators- maintainers could not reach that high to insert the sand fill hoses. The rear fill is actually about 6 feet above the deck...about eye level. 14:38 Most railroads do not use a 15 mph sand cutoff speed. Some have no cutoff at all. Some have different speeds depending on operating mode. 17:49 The stator exitation does not travel in reverse when the motor are in braking. It travels more slowly than rotor speed, but in the same direction. When in motoring, it travels more quickly than rotor speed...thus "inducing" current into the induction motor. However, I will grant that for general illustrative purposes, it does kind of get the point across (but it does not accurately depict how an induction motor works) 18:18 Grids are show backwards. As shown, the super hot air would burn any person exiting the operator cab on the right side where the rear door is. Blowers should be on the right, hot air exiting on the left. 20:18 "Smart Displays" are no longer used. These are now "dumb displays" called "TCD's" (thin client displays) 24:18 There is no "Smart Display" on the helpers console. Not sure what is shown there but it could be an Auxilliary Speed Indicator (ASI) which displays locomotive speed to the Conductor.

[@WrenchingWolf92]

Actually the rear sand fill on the ES44AC (I'm pretty sure that's the Loco he based this on) and the SD70ACe (and I think the MAC as well) are up on top of the hood. At least on the variants I see from BNSF. I wish they weren't though, the "Cane" we use at my site to fill them using compressed air probably weighs 80 pounds and is not a whole lotta fun to lift up that high. Especially when the truck runs out of sand, and the cane becomes a missile with the last shot of sand. I've almost been hit before! And some additional mistakes I found personally; 1. The throttle CAN be moved with the reverser centered. All that matters is that the handle is inserted (Pretty much just think of it as a key). But the handle can not be removed unless it is in the center position and the throttle is at idle. 2. When you operate the cut lever for the coupler, it doesn't push the components apart quite like illustrated. It lifts the lock up so the coupler can move freely, but doesn't push the knuckle out. In fact, the couplers have to be pushed together to take tension off of the knuckles so that the lock can lift. 3. Disappointed there was no mention of the air conditioning in the cabin, since that's a question I get a lot. Yes, these cabs are air conditioned as well as forced-air heated, then have additional radiant aux heaters next to the seats. 4. The independent brake lever controls the brakes on ALL locos in the train, not just the one unit. That's what two of those additional air hoses are for. The third one is just to combine the main reservoirs of the locos. Also, any DPUs (Locos elsewhere in the train not directly connected, but wirelessly controlled) will also adjust their own independent brakes accordingly. 5: The "Multiple Unit" switch on the back panel is for the headlights, so if you have two locos connected to each other, turning on the "Rear" headlight switch in the head unit will control the rearward facing lights on the second unit.

[@briancelidonia8258]

@@WrenchingWolf92 yeah .... very interesting choices about what to deep dive on. (The "rail cleaner" would have been a nice add) And I guess trying to cover the aux-alternator versus non-aux alternator locomotives would have been a little confusing (newer Wabtec locos get rid of the aux alternator and replaced with aux inverters) Also, i assumed that this was based on GE/wabtec locomotive (everything, including the windows, fuel tanks, cooling system and dynamic braking) were from a GE/wabtec locomotive hence my comment on the sand fills. Even with the many problems with this video I still think it was a great introduction.

[@WrenchingWolf92]

@@briancelidonia8258 It was definitely a ton of info to cram into a video, so I hold nothing against these guys lol. and I'm like 98% sure they based this all on the GE ES44AC, I run them a lot and really only a few small details are off from the ones I'm used to. Like switch positions and such. I have seen a loco in my site with the lower sand fill before like you said, but I can't remember if it was a GE or an early EMD SD70ACe I saw it on.

[@animagraffs]

I added all these to the pinned "VIDEO CORRECTIONS" thread. Really appreciate you taking the time to help us all learn more accurate info! We love getting knowledge close to the source, especially because during research it can be so hard to come by. I guess some might call it nitpicky, but with how high our standards are, it feels like you're one of us. lol

[@revenniaga6249]

Incredible graphics. Being an Ĺocomotive Engineer it is 99% accurate. Cannot imagine how long it took to make Great Job!!!!

[@davidlinge4794]

Thank you for this. I have been a lifelong train enthusiast. I'm old enough that my grandfather took me to see an old steam locomotive on her final journey. Thanks for the details on how the couplers work!

[@mahmoodalhatem6710]

Thanks! Best Animator ever, keep it up man

[@todd-617]

Great graphics. Almost completely correct information on the locomotive's operation. Just a couple very small things. I've been a locomotive engineer for 18 years and I enjoyed the video. Good work.

[@general5104]

Jake O'Neal, you're genius! Heres a couple of items to change/add to your narration: At 21:49, with the reverser handle CENTERED, engine speeds can be checked. Its also where onboard Load Test is done. At 23:02, the fold down seat is usually for a second Switchman or Firemen, which is being used as a switchman. The seat to the SHE of him is the CONDUCTOR'S seat. It's His train. He's the boss, on the line of road. The Engineer and switchmen work for him. He has the emergency train brake in front of him, plus he has the manifest of the train and all the paperwork on his desk. He can watch how the engine is operating, from his seat. He can pull up readings about the Locomotive on his display. He also has a telephone type handset, that has a speaker in the earpiece, for easier listening. The mic was discontinued due to noise. The wide cabs are more noise protected than the old hood type cabs and noses. At 24:34, will be the ASPECT TREE, which is mounted from the ceiling, just above the center separater of the windshield. It's for use in DARK COUNTRY, where the rails wind thru the canions and disrupts the radio signals for alerting one train that there's another train on its track. As far as I can tell, everything else it right on the money! This would be a great TRAINING FILM for new employees. I wish I had been able to see something like this when I first started at the Diesel Shop, back in 1975. SD45'S WERE BRAND NEW. I'm dating myself now. I worked on Locomotives for over 37 years. The work was great. I'm afraid to say anything else, BECAUSE IT MAY INSEMINATE ME..! Yup... inseminate!!! Thanks again!

[@conductorcammon]

Locomotive engineer here...this is the best video ive ever seen. Thus video is a better learning tool than the first THREE WEEKS of Engineer training!

[@monicabrentegani6801]

Hello, I'm looking for a locomotive engineer tò have some informations I have not found in this video, regarding the exhaust gases and the way they leave the train. Can I contact you in some way?

[@BryanO92]

This was fantastic. I have a friend who's a conductor for BNSF. Of coursee he has various responsibilities both in the yard and on the train, like inspection, various documentation, communicating with the yard, setting brakes, etc., but his main job, as he tells it, is keeping the engineer awake.

[@victormioduszewski4729]

Funny ...BNSF one of four railroads..along with Union Pacific, Indiana Railroad and Florida East Coast suing FRA on the new two man crew requirement..that might change after the up coming presidential election..which would favor in dropping that new rule..a bad decision in my opinion..

[@bbalderston125]

Respect the designing mechanical engineers and all the rail folks operating and maintaining these amazing machines. Amazing!

[@rogerletsom2127]

This by far the best animation of a diesel-electric locomotive that I've seen! Have you ever considered producing an animation of a modern steam locomotive?

[@closeblast3298]

Amazing work. I cannot believe how you made everything so easy to learn. Now when I look at trains I no longer see just a big engine but all the hard work and dedication that was put into it

[@gregorymccoy6797]

Would love to know how long it takes to research and produce these amazing videos. They are amazing, Sir.

[@financialarmageddon]

You are deserving of each and every click! Your willingness to show even the nit-picky corrections is a humility I wish all channel creators deployed. You truly make learning fun! Shalom.

[@MrSkeptical]

I have been a Train Buff my whole life and this overview was fascinating... well done indeed!

[@NatePetrill-w5t]

This is my favorite Animagraffs episode because I love trains when I was little!

[@Carstuff111]

May I say that it is epic you have brought to life the books I read for fun as a kid. And you have done so, beautifully! I am going to have to show this channel to my nephew, I think he would love this just as much as I do. I do hope your channel continues to expand!

[@dh00mketu]

Which book

[@yardlimit8695]

i must have read a 100 comments.........every one was POSITIVE.........SO IS MINE.......GREAT JOB.........

[@LiamDennehy]

This is an astonishingly good model and it's used amazingly to explain all the intricacies of this system. Well done!

[@reduggan]

Wow! This diesel electric locomotive animation and explanation is excellent. Way better than crude drawings, schematics and photos. Now I really know what I'm looking at. Thank you!

[@CyPhi68]

As a former high school teacher in sciences and math, there is an abundance of real world science, mostly physics, in this video. I used to include braking acceleration (which is negative) in some physics motion problems. Could also make a simple dynamic braking system. Thanks, as a railroad buff also, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Subscribed.

[@Romualdomgn84]

Animation is unbelievable! Thank you for clear explanation how a diesel-electric locomotive works.

[@railwayjade]

As a railfan this is an awesome video! Well done! For your electric locomotive video - regenerative braking feeds power back into the contact wire for use by other trains. :)

[@FrequencyCrawler]

Is there an Electric Loco Video from animagraffs?

[@railwayjade]

@@FrequencyCrawler I have not seen one yet in the list

[@FrequencyCrawler]

@@railwayjade Thanks. Hoping it will be there soon.

[@yogiperogy]

Wow! Things have really changed since I was a hostler in the late 1960s! Absolutely amazing, and impressive production and narration! Thank you very much sir!!

[@The1andOnlyWog]

I love that you used BNSF's colors for the model! My grandfather was an engineer for Santa Fe, started as a fireman on the old 3751 8-4-8 steam engine and worked his way up to engineer on these diesel-electric engines. It immediately made me think of him seeing those colors on an engine. Thank you for that. Keep up the amazing work!

[@poshmalosh14]

That's union Pacific not BNSF

[@coolleo149]

Love how animated the Union Pacific GEVO is! I’ve seen a couple of these whenever I was railfanning.

[@rickysandhu3916]

Simply amazing video. For a train enthusiast who spends hours on hours playing Train Simulators on the gaming consoles, this video cleared so many doubts and questions. I always wondered about the various braking systems. Also it's amazing how such a heavy machinery can pull heavy loads 500 miles on just a gallon of fuel! Thank you for this.

[@danl6933]

Thank you to Animagraffs!! Your info and graphics were terrific!! I'm working with children in a drop-in-center for kids after school before their parents arrive home from work. I have been blundering through setting up an O - gauge three rail train for several of the kids. I'm an HO scale guy so it's been fun to learn new things. I can assure you I will show portions of this video for my "train crews". Don'special

[@Greguk444]

Amazing detail, incredible graphics. Well done, thank you. This is the best CGI engineering illustration I have seen. The modelling is very impressive

[@StevieWonder737]

Marvelous presentation. Simple enough to follow, detailed enough to give a real handle on the workings. SUPERB

[@harlech2]

Very well done! I am not much of a train geek, but I love knowing how stuff works and this hit the spot!!

[@CraftyFoxe]

Freight locomotives are really a great feat of engineering! The 3D visuals are pretty great. One thing, I don't think you went over the stuff on the cab roof, the PTC antenna array

[@aaa7189]

Can't wait for electric train engines or even airplanes - being facetious

[@brav141xd2]

Locomotives do amaze me as a mechanical engineer in training. I do want to help design new diesel passenger locomotives that can comply with EPA Tier 4 standards. This animation is pretty accurate, It is cool that the waste is recycled for fewer emissions.

[@jamesaldridge6642]

I was apprenticed in tool and die making at Electro-Motive in La Grange, Illinois in the mid 1970’s. I worked in the tool room and process engineering department for 12 wonderful years. I can honestly say I loved my job. Great video! Also, the locomotive did have a real bell, at least they had bells on the ones built while I worked there.

[@CnfuD-Choticstreaming]

Jake O'Neal creator of animagraffs, a big congratulations on your work. The models are amazing and the videos mesmerising. Thank you for your efforts!

[@lowstandar]

Praise be! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. The amount of time and effort you put into the simulations has my eyes glued to my phone. Thank you

[@Joe-ym6bw]

Man is amazing at what he can build. And your videos exceptional

[@himbourbanist]

dude Dynamic Braking is so COOL

[@1966sanya]

Didn't you mean to say hot?

[@shannonpincombe8485]

This content is exemplary! One of the best break down vids I've seen. Loved every second and have watched it in sections to rewind and go back over information I've found super interesting or to ensure I've gotten every last detail. It's like you've tickled my need for a deep dive into a subject that has always interested me but one which I've never gone too deeply into. I have subscribed...well done!

[@josenilsongobira4044]

You are an excellent animation professional. Diesel-electric locomotive manufacturers should sponsor your channel. I'm learning English with your videos. Thanks.

[@Rok3y]

What an engineering. Thank you creator, really awesome animagraff

[@vel0cirapt0r656]

This was such a great video! It was super concise, but yet detailed and comprehensive! Now if only companies could hire someone like you to create their safety training...

[@nilsrp]

Very interesting and very well made animations. Brilliant work, Jake and Wesley. 👍 Merry Christmas from Norway 🎄

[@uncinarynin]

Great explanation of the AAR coupler here, I have never seen it in such detail anywhere else.

[@Syclone0044]

Also tank cars have a Type F shelf coupler with top and bottom guides to try to prevent them from rolling over in a derailment.

[@rickardandreasson5095]

These locomotives are impressive engineering Marvels. Built for raw power and efficiency. I just hope the United States would add a tunnel to those mountain pass lines for the heaviest trains to reduce fuel costs

[@AlyxForest]

They use a speaker to make the bell sound? My life is a lie. I thought they still used a real bell.

[@Alco16-251F]

@@AlyxForest actually believe it or not a lot of older locomotives still use real bells. Most new locomotives use electronic be described here, but there are some exceptions based on the customer’s needs

[@MrTNuke]

@@AlyxForest hi friend, former railroad engineer here. My old gal used a real bell! My first locomotive was a big german tugboat engine that they repurposed/refurbished and stuck a hull on it. The bell on that one was cable-ran. We would tug on the cable mounted in the cab. Some steam locomotives use a cable-ran system as well. 🙂

[@curiousflight5923]

Great animation 🔥🔥🔥. Can not imagine how much effort you put to make these videos.

[@o0o-jd-o0o95]

This was one of the best visual explanations of anything I have ever seen. I don't know what program that is but it sure is leaps and bounds ahead of how things used to be. It is too bad that we didn't build more railroads in this country(U.S.) you know the reason we do not have as many railroads is because we were big on cars. some of our largest companies in the US used to be the car manufacturers and they wanted everybody to buy a car.. so there was a culture built around once you reached 16 years old you learned how to drive a car and then you bought a car as soon as you could. so not very many railroads were ever built

[@matthewmiller6068]

Very neat! Sure, some minor technical differences between locomotives and the majority of this was not new to me, but the animation does an amazing job of helping to wrap your head around so many things at once! The first time I've seen electronic brakes on a freight train was in Roanoke, VA there was someone that was on a bike and went across a crossing around the gates just feet away from the approaching train (granted it's like 15mph speed zone due to quiet-zone, but still dangerous). The engineer laid on the horn and hit the brakes, it was immensely loud as all the cars dumped air simultaneously and I have never seen a long freight train stop so quickly in my life. Everyone was fine, including the idiot who cut right in front of the moving train.

[@neilreid2298]

Your work is truly a masterpiece. I learned so much about these incredible machines! Can't imagine the hours it took to assemble all this- thank you! More please!

[@edcooley8022]

If no one else tells you thank you for this one it makes it so much easier to help the new guys that are firing understand easier basically what's going on with their engine

[@timsharkey1993]

What a fantastic video! Full of detail but presented in a way that is easy to follow.

[@blackguardian89]

Another extraordinary tutorial! Thank you for the amazing work and dedication! By the way you should consider making a tutorial about educational animation with Blender :) I think that's kind of a dream video for a pretty large part of your subscribers :)

[@IShowVelocity.]

Tutorial 💀

[@animagraffs]

I've gotten pretty "mad scientist" with my Blender 3D environment!! Delving into python, custom tools, panels, and driver setups so that I could hypothetically hand this file off to anyone and they'd be able to use interface sliders to control transparency for all major systems, and operate all rigs again with interface sliders and elements. It's almost like I'm making a mini sim game inside Blender. I've thought about making vids to go through these contraptions as I'm really proud of them, and they are (I think) as amazing as the resulting videos. I'll just need to make sure the channel has a good base, gets views, and makes enough money with the basic offerings -- so I can have that extra little bit of bandwidth to add these 'how its made' videos to the mix.

[@diegosoriavivas]

Mate, thank you very much for making these amazing videos! It is absolutely fantastic. I do admire your high-quality work.

[@mrs6968]

Your videos are always top notch could we expect a steam engine train video somewhere later down the line? Thank you for being you and all that you do!!!!!

[@BartdeBoisblanc]

Yes how about the X4014 as the subject of that video.

[@2kanchoo]

As someone who's driven trains for last 20 years I'd say about 95% accurate. Very well done.

[@patrickt7]

Amazingly detailed and very well-done. Using the Evolution Series locomotive as the model was an excellent choice. ES variants are ubiquitous across North America.

[@thelightbrigadef4172]

Finally high quality animation animagraffs along with Jared as well.

[@afonso2130]

Your videos are very good, I really liked them, hugs from Brazil

[@tonyobbeek8910]

Absolutely brilliant, your work and dedication to detail is just brilliant. I could watch this for hours my friend, your narration is as enticing as the graphic side of the presentation, what you have produced here is outstanding. Many many thanks and kind regards. tones1957 (from New Zealand)

[@misterflibble6601]

Excellent video, professionally animated and narrated. Well done and thanks for posting! BTW this is the BEST video a train geek like me has ever seen!!!

[@ArchDudeify]

The animation, timing, translucency, and level of detail is just outstanding

[@lane-_-mass5006]

Note to self diesel train in the apocalypse=great milage

[@androidemulator6952]

Fascinating insight- learnt something new . Thank you