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The issue of improving the environmental safety of locomotive-type diesel engines by using hydrogen is considered. The analysis of pollutants that pose a special danger to the atmosphere. To ensure reliable operation of locomotive-type diesel engine with hydrogen supply, an on-board system has been developed. To solve environmental problems in rail transport, the article provides experimental data on the assessment of the effect of hydrogen additives on the levels of emissions of harmful substances on the example of a diesel shunting diesel locomotive ChME3.

This paper presents the results of a study of the effect of the characteristics of the traction power-supply system on the indicator of the energy supply of electric rolling stock. The power-supply indicator of the electric locomotive is described as a function of the indicators of the load capacity of a traction power system and operational indicators of the transportation process: the mass of trains, speed, headway, and a number of others. Statistical methods and results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of traction resources for the territorial branch of the operating domain on the basis of rolling stock quality indicators have been presented. The organizational structure and model of the management of traction resources taking into account the inclusion of the functions of the relationship with the territorial directorates of Transenergo have been presented.

Electronic control systems for diesel generators used on diesel locomotives were invented 25–30 years ago. In the 1980s, the Kolomna Machine Building Plant in the Soviet Union developed an electronic system for regulating and protecting diesel engines. Control algorithms were created that were compliant with all the requirements imposed on electric hydraulic control systems for diesel locomotive engines. However, the absence of reliable electronic systems at that time did not allow this regulation system to be put into operation. Today, we are seeing intense development and adoption of electronic control systems for locomotives. Russia is one of many countries in which various electronic diesel locomotive engine control systems are being created.

The results of experimental studies of the operation of a D-242 diesel engine with hydrogen additives, as well as on the operation of an aluminum–hydrogen generator, are presented. The main parameters measured in the course of the experiments with the diesel engine and the aluminum–hydrogen generator under their joint operation in an automatic mode are presented. A structural diagram of an electronic control system for joint supply of fuel and hydrogen additives to a diesel engine of a vehicle is presented that makes it possible to maintain a preset crankshaft rotation speed and engine power in an automatic mode. The proposed solutions can improve the efficiency of vehicle diesel engines and, as a result, reduce the fuel consumption and level of hazardous emissions into the environment.

The factors determining the energy efficiency ratio of self-contained locomotives are considered, which come down to the diesel fuel efficiency for traction. A methodology for calculating the energy efficiency ratio of a self-contained locomotive with electric power transmission is presented, making it possible to uniquely determine its energy efficiency level, all other things being equal.

A need to determine the performance efficiency of diesel locomotives arises when it is necessary to assess the quality of work done by operating organizations and make a comparative assessment of the adoption of new locomotives, new structural parts of their power plants, or new control algorithms. The first of these tasks is accomplished using the data obtained during the operation of locomotives, the scope of tkm work performed, the aggregate diesel fuel consumption, the quality of following the train schedule, and other indicators. To comparatively assess the efficiency of using locomotives of different series or adopting structural modifications, it is necessary to derive corresponding criteria of assessment and mathematical tools that will allow taking into account the peculiarities of power plants installed on locomotives. This article considers existing approaches to assessing locomotives on the basis of energy efficiency and proposes a new integrated vehicle energy efficiency index, a technique for calculating this index, a technique for representing train operations in a limited set of single train running modes, and a procedure for designing these modes considering stationary and unsteady operational modes of the power plant and equipment assemblies.

The cells of homogeneous digital structures designed for multioperation process diagnostics are considered in the form of graphic models. Digital circuits and diagrams of the cells operation are presented. The principles of the digital structure functioning are described based on feed-forward cells preset with allowance for the relations of upstream operations and the generation of diagnostic signs (acknowledgment or defect) of the events. The directions of the cells’ schematic development aimed at expanding the list of detected defects are outlined. An analysis of the arrangement, basic functions and properties, of homogeneous digital structures for the process diagnostics is carried out, and options for their hardware and software solutions are considered.

The article analyzes the existing systems for storing and supplying fuel for diesel locomotives. A storage and fuel supply system for a diesel locomotive converted to slush -like (geterogenic) liquefied natural gas has been developed, its advantages are performed. The use of the cooling resource of the slurry fuel of a diesel locomotive to reduce the temperature of the charge air has been substantiated. The coefficient of utilization of the cooling resource of slush-like fuel has been derived. A comparison of the theoretical results of the methodology for calculating the heat-and-power indicators of a diesel locomotive engine converted to a slush-like(geterogenic) liquefied natural gas and the results of a computational experiment have been provided.

The paper presents the results of a study on the prospects of using hydrogen in railway transport. Factors influencing the development of the hydrogen energy market in the world are considered. According to experts, the share of the Russian Federation may amount to 10-15 % of the world market. At the same time, South-East Asia is an important focus area for Russia. This is due to the availability of available raw materials (Sakhalin) and the short delivery time of hydrogen to the main consumers (China, Japan). Three key areas are identified as prospective research and development of the “Research & Development” program: 1 – generation, 2 – storage and transportation, 3 – consumption (use). The paper considers the main ways of using hydrogen fuel on autonomous traction rolling stock. In accordance with the energy strategy of the Russian Railways holding for the future until 2030, the main energy-saving technical solutions and technologies are the creation of a new generation of energy-efficient rolling stock. This also includes partial substitution of diesel fuel with the development of hydrogen fuel cells and the use of advances in the field of hydrogen energy. Currently, the company is working on the creation of serial two-diesel, hybrid locomotives, as well as gas-turbine and gas-thermal locomotives powered by liquefied natural gas. However, in terms of energy and environmental characteristics, the most promising type of fuel is hydrogen. Engineering solutions for generating hydrogen on board of locomotive are presented, and experimental results are presented. The developed hydrogen-aluminum generator makes it possible to organize a new approach in the working process of transport power plants by automatically feeding the initial components (aluminum) to the chemical reaction zone, depending on the locomotive engine’s demand for hydrogen in various operating modes.