What is Electric Locomotive and How it works.
                     What is Electric 
Locomotive and How 
it works?
Introduction
An electric locomotive is a locomotive 
powered by electricity from overhead 
lines, a third rail or on-board energy 
storage such as a battery or a 
supercapacitor.
Source: Wikipedia
How an electric 
Locomotive 
The functioningf uof enlecctritc lioocomnotsive  ?
involves current collection by a 
pantograph continuously touching the 
overhead wire, running over the bus-bar of 
the locomotive roof to surge arrester and 
Vacuum circuit breaker.
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com
Output 
Connection
Output of vacuum circuit breaker is 
connected to transformer through cable 
head termination. Output of Transformer is 
processed to feed traction motor. 
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com
Development of 
processing 
Developmentt oef prcochessningo telchonoglogyy  
over the last 80 years has led to different 
class of locomotive of which three class of 
locomotive is in operation over Indian 
Railways. 
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com
Step by step action taken 
by Loco pilot to energize 
the locomotive
Start baby compressor working on Battery 
Voltage and build up pressure to 6 Kg.
Raise the pantograph and close the Vac. circuit 
breaker as soon the pantograph touches the 
overhead wire.
Check the continuity of pressure with the guard 
of the train
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com
Step by step action taken 
by Loco pilot to energize 
the locomotive cont.
Exchange the signal with the guard about the 
readiness of the train.
Take traction notch slowly keeping a watch on 
the traction motor current which should be in 
green/yellow zone. The train starts rolling. If it 
does not, means brake not released.
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com
Action taken by 
Loco pilot during 
Keep a cwonstoantr aknd ivnigilagnt  waatc ht orn athei n
section ahead
Keep whistling to warn while passing a Railway 
Station, Level X-ing gate and on seeing any live 
obstruction on the route
Keep watching pressure, speed, notch position, 
traction motor current etc.
Watch the train in the rear while negotiating 
Source: curve for any abnormality
www.railelectrica.com
Action taken by 
Loco pilot during 
Exchange hwand osignrakl wiitnh thge g uaard  tatr staarti onf  
train from any stoppage, with station staff and  
train crew passing on the adjacecnto linne t.
Repeat signal aspect after it is shouted by  
Assistant Loco Pilot
Assistant Loco Pilot to record the time of passing 
a station and any other observation during run
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com
Modern 
Locomotives 
Modern Locomotives are equipped with 
automatic control features making the train 
working simple helping the loco pilot in many 
ways. 
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com
Working of Modern 
Locomotives 
The system of working is set based on the 
primitive design of locomotive. 
The old working system has continued to be 
copied on the model design as well in the name 
of safety. 
Job of Loco pilot can be simplified a lot taking 
advantage of features of modern technology.
Source: 
www.railelectrica.com