Train motive power technologies : a review on existing and emerging (hybrid) technologies

In this paper, the existing traction technologies used to propel locomotives are reviewed and discussed first. Included are diesel-electric, diesel-hydraulic and electric traction technologies and their advantages and disadvantages. The energy storage devices (such as batteries, supercapacitors and flywheels) for railway applications that can be used to store and reuse regenerative braking energy are then discussed. Furthermore, the emerging (hybrid) locomotive traction technologies which include diesel based hybrid traction and fuel cell based hybrid traction are reviewed and discussed. Finally, the challenges that can be further researched regarding applications of hybrid traction technologies are presented.