Diesel-electric “Prospectors” for mountain service

TWO self-powered cars, Diesel-electric driven, make up a new kind of train which the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad is putting into operation between Denver, Colo., and Salt Lake City, Utah. Called the “Prospectors”, these small trains, with a capacity of 62 passengers, contain the full range of accommodations provided in full-length trains. Designed and built by the Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company, each car is 75 feet long and weighs approximately 130,000 pounds ready to run. Two more cars may be added to each train if desired. Two Diesel engines suspended beneath each car supply power, each engine driving a generator which in turn feeds two of the four propulsion motors on the car. The engines, each rated at 192 horsepower at the top operating speed of 1,600 rpm, are six-cylinder four-cycle full Diesel engines of the horizontal type. They are started by special windings in the traction generators, no separate starting motors being required. The motors are truck-mounted, co-supported by axle through the gear case and by spring at motor end, drive being by means of spiral bevel gears.