What is Diesel locomotive?
[[File:Hugh llewelyn D1661 (5558595690).jpg|thumb|A diesel locomotive]] [[File:Diesel locomotive 9607 at Nairobi railway station, Kenya.jpg|thumb|Former diesel locomotive in Kenya]] A '''diesel locomotive''' is a [[locomotive]] powered by a [[diesel engine]]. The diesel engine drives the locomotive's wheels through a transmission system. Diesel locomotives are very popular worldwide, due to their ease of use and reliability. They can be more powerful than [[steam locomotive]]s and do not need an expensive power grid like [[electric locomotive]]s. In the 1930s they were often used for runs of very short distances. After the middle 20th century they became the most common kind for long runs, too. == Transmission systems == * Mechanical transmission uses a [[gearbox]], shaft or chain (diesel-mechanical). * Electric transmission works by generating [[electricity]] which is in turn used to power the wheels (diesel-electric). This is the kind most used. * Hydraulic transmission uses a hydraulic transmission system (diesel-hydraulic). {{Railway brakes}} {{Transport-stub}} [[Category:Locomotives]]