Comparison of electric and diesel locomotives

Diplomsko delo je usmerjeno v primerjavo karakteristik sodobnih električnih in dizelskih lokomotiv, kar zaobjema vse od splošnih dejstev obeh tipov vleke do pretvorniškega sestava in obratovalnih parametrov sodobnih železniških vlečnih vozil. V analizi sta obravnavani predstavnici sodobnih lokomotiv obeh tipov vleke in sicer Siemens ES64U4 in ER20. Uvodno poglavje izpostavi ključne razloge, ki so pripeljali do uporabe električne in dizelske tirne vleke. Drugo in tretje poglavje se navezujeta na splošna dejstva vleke, glede na njen tip. Najprej osvetlita začetke vleke in vozni park v Sloveniji. V osrednjem delu obeh poglavij so opredeljene značilnosti (prednosti, slabosti, razlike) posameznega tipa vleke. V zadnjem delu dotičnih poglavij pa je poudarek na razvoju, vse od konvencionalne do sodobne pogonske tehnike električnih in dizelskih lokomotiv, s poudarkom na sodobni izvedbi. Osrednji poglavji podrobno predstavita primer sodobne električne in dizelske lokomotive, ki sta prisotni tudi na slovenskih tirih. Za lažjo predstavo so najprej navedena nekatera splošna dejstva, lastnosti ter ključni fizikalni parametri obeh lokomotiv, sledi podroben opis celotnega pretvorniškega sestava (pretvornik vleke in pomožnih naprav, vlečni motorji...). V šestem poglavju so predstavljene meritve in izračun obratovalnih parametrov lokomotiv Siemens ES64U4 in ER20 pri vleki tovornega vlaka na zelo zahtevni železniški progi med Koprom in Divačo. V predzadnjem poglavju raziščemo smernice, ki jim sledijo trenutne generacije vlečnih vozil s platformo lokomotiv Siemens Vectron. V zaključku so predstavljeni ključni izsledki diplomskega dela ter ovrednotenje relevantnosti električne in dizelske vleke v bodoče v Sloveniji.The diploma thesis is aimed at comparing the characteristics of modern electric and diesel locomotives, which covers some general facts of both types of towing to the conversion composition and operating parameters of modern railway traction vehicles. Representatives of both types of modern locomotives, namely Siemens ES64U4 and ER20, were included for the necessary analysis. The first chapter introduces us to the diploma work with the key reasons that led us to use electric and diesel traction. The second and third chapters refer to the general facts of the towing, according to its type. First of all, we are informed with the beginnings of towing and rolling stock in Slovenia. The main part of the two chapters defines the characteristics (advantages, disadvantages, differences) of each type of traction. In the last part of the diploma thesis, the emphasis is on development, from conventional to modern propulsion techniques of electric and diesel locomotives, with emphasis on modern design. The central chapters give us a fairly detailed example of the modern electric and diesel locomotives, which are also present on Slovenian tracks. For easier understanding, first some of their general facts, properties, and key physical parameters are mentioned. To a greater extent, the focus is on the converter assembly (towing device and auxiliary devices, traction motors...). In Chapter 6, the operating parameters of Siemens ES64U4 and ER20 locomotives when pulling a freight train on a very demanding railway line between Koper and Divača were calculated and presented. In the penultimate section we explore the trends, followed by the current generation of towing vehicles with the Siemens Vectron locomotive platform. In conclusion, the key findings of the diploma work are presented, as well as the evaluation of the relevance of electrical and diesel towage in the future in Slovenia