High-power electric locomotives at the threshold of the 21st century

The application of high-power electric locomotives and the conditions that must be met to operate these locomotives are presented. A list of high-power locomotives produced by individual companies is provided.The structure railway vehicles system which are controlled by computer devices has been analyzed.
The latest constructions of an electric locomotives and unconventional cars with air-cushion.
1. INTRODUCTION
A contemporary requirement for rail transport using electric traction, both in passenger and freight traffic, is minimal transport time and minimal energy consumption.
Relatively short transport time is closely related to the speed of the train covering transcontinental routes, often multiple times. Trains intended for such routes consist of one or more standard locomotives and a standard set of wagons.
In passenger transport, a process of increasing train speeds to 160 and even 300 km/h is observed. In freight traffic, however, there is a tendency to increase train speeds to 120 km/h ÷ 140 km/h and even 160 km/h. In the case of trains carrying bulk freight – coke, coal, agricultural products – the train speed should reach 100 km/h.
Transport with such speed and load capacity parameters requires appropriate power and driving mass of the locomotive. (…)

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