Performance of AC diesel-electric locomotives in typical Australian tasks

In this paper we report on the application of the train energy model (TEM) simulation package in investigations of fuel consumption and journey time in the operation of intermodal trains operated by Australian National on the route between Adelaide and Port Augusta in South Australia. With the Scheduling and Control Group of the University of South Australia, in collaboration with Australian National, we have been using this route since 1987 as a case study for research into improved train scheduling algorithms, and energy-efficient `train pacing´ tactics. An investigation is carried out into the relative performance of AN´s existing modern DC diesel-electric locomotives on this route compared with the performance of a hypothetical generic class of AC locomotives having similar power rating