How it works

When running, the 65 litre V12 Maybach MD655 engine (1) rotates the engine to tansmission cardan shaft coupled to the Voith L630rV transmission (2). 

Using internal gears, two smaller cardan shafts mounted on top of the transmission rotate the dyno-starter and hydrostatic oil pump for the cooling fans (3). 

The dyno-starter provides 110 volts for the electrical systems operating on the locomotive which also acts as the starter motor for the diesel engine, initially powered from the batteries (12).

The hydrostatic oil pump works constantly and a small electrically operated valve diverts oil to the fans to turn them as required. 

When the driver selects the direction for movement (Forward or Reverse) and places the power controller into notch one (Fill), the engine takes load with a slight drop in revs as the transmission (2) convertor 1st stage (gear) fills with oil and the diesel engine now begins to rotate this oil, rather like a ships propeller in water. 

Face to face with this "propeller" is another similar "propeller" which begins to rotate as well, and this is coupled to another cardan shaft leading to the bogie mounted intermediate gearbox (4). 

In this gearbox, a combination of bevel and wheel gears transmit the drive downwards. 

From there, cardan shafts (5) transmit the drive to the axle mounted final drive gearboxes (6).

With the brakes released and the driver applying more power (as required), from notch one to notch nine on the power controller, increasing engine revs, the locomotive moves forward gaining speed, allowing the converters to change, from first gear to second gear, at around 37 mph and then from second gear to third gear at around 63 mph, which can then allow the locomotive to run up to a maximum speed of 90 mph.

NB. Each bogie is powered individually by their respective engine and transmission units, with no mechanical link between the two bogies.

Class 52 Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive - D1013 Western Ranger in section

1. Maybach MD655 65 litre V12 engine
2. Voith L630rV transmission
3. Engine water cooling fans
4. Intermediate gearbox
5. Cardan shafts   
6. Final drive gear box
7. Radiator elements
8. Air intake grills
9. Engine Intercooler
10. Train steam heating boiler
11. Second engine
12. Battery boxes & batteries
13. Bogie