Maintenance and operating experiences ¿ Diesel-electric locomotives

This paper outlines certain difficulties experienced with diesel-electric locomotives on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad since the first road service units were placed in operation during 1947. With four different makes of locomotives, totalling 197 units operating on 3,242 miles of railroad, furnishing the basis for the observations outlined, it can be assumed that similar difficulties have been prevalent on other railroads of comparable or greater size and diesel ownership. Any criticism offered should be considered constructive as it is given sincerely and with a hope that it may be of some benefit to manufacturers and users alike.