What is average train mileage?

Answer 1

Here is another version of the same type question, as I have been wondering the same thing. I saw a TV commercial that claimed they could help get some ridiculous amount of miles per gallon and wanted to check it out. This answer sounds more realistic, .

How many miles per gallon does a diesel Train do. Cheers.?

• 8 months ago

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by The Tank Member sinceJuly 19, 2006Total points8352 (Level 5)

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Best Answer - Chosen by AskerMost British main line locomotives of the 1960's and 1970's could manage almost 1 mpg average. This would typically be pulling 400 tons at up to 90mph.

Deisel multiple units would manage anything up to 12 mpg or more.

These days the modern trains have far more fuel-efficient engines but they also have all manner of electronic equipment and air conditioning, power doors, super bright lighting etc. to run. It's probably still more than 1 mpg but not as much as we would hope.

The Canadian built EWS freight locos are also very thirsty beasts.

Having said that, their pollution emissions are far better than they used to be.

PS I mean Imperial gallons, not the smaller US variety.

• 8 months ago

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Asker's RatingAsker's CommentVery good answer. I did not realise that D.M.U,s (like the 220) did up to 12 mpg. I doubt you would get anything near this with a class 43 (H.S.T) Or a class 56. Yes I should imagine a class 66 loco would be a very thirst beast. My fav is still the class 47 loco witha top speed of 95mph. Cheers

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Timothy Baldwin

I think that 12mpg refers to smaller slower DMUs. Report It

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• by dels replies Member sinceFebruary 28, 2007Total points29017 (Level 7)

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    Surely that should be "how many gallons to a mile".

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• by rklee012... Member sinceJune 13, 2007Total points1162 (Level 3)

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    It depends on weather or not there climbing hills or not. it also depends on the load it is hauling. In any case not very much!

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by Sal*UK Member sinceJune 10, 2007Total points31264 (Level 7)

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  Or even how many gallons in an hour!

  It has to vary - depends what its pulling, whether its at standstill, speed it runs at.

  http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6564172...

  Interesting article there - but I don't think it gives actual fuel usage.

• 8 months ago
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by giles b'stard Member sinceJune 15, 2007Total points923 (Level 2)

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  I think about 200 tonne miles per gallon is a ballpark figure,

  Automobiles manage 20 tonne miles per gallon as a ballpark , like 1960 Mini 1/2 Tonne 40mpg, Range Rover 3 Tonne 13 mpg.

• 8 months ago
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by Del Piero 10 Member sinceOctober 29, 2006Total points25802 (Level 7)

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  An Australian NR class locomotive http://locopage.railpage.org.au/sra/pn_n...

  hauling 1300 tonnes will use 11,500 litres of diesel on the 852 mile trip between Melbourne and Brisbane which equates to 3.56 US gallons per mile or 2.96 Imperial gallons per mile.

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by HOGHEAD Member sinceJuly 07, 2006Total points30775 (Level 7)

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  The formula is 'Ton Miles Per Gallon' of fuel. This of course is widely variable and there is no set answer.

  But, your older GE and EMD engines will burn up 196 gallons of fuel per hour, at full rack (run 8, full power).

  Newer, more fuel efficient models, have cut this by a significant amount to around 160 gallons per hour.

  Most locomotives are equipped with a 4,200 gallon fuel tank, and this is usually enough to cover 1,000 miles on the older equipment.

  It goes without saying that the most fuel is burned when accelerating the train up to speed. Once at that point, a much lower throttle position can keep the tonnage rolling well.

• 8 months ago
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by cedley19... Member sinceMarch 27, 2006Total points3832 (Level 4)

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  A UK train with six carriages will use between 1.5 to 2 gallons of fuel per mile. Given it could be carrying 300 people that's not bad even at two gallons.

  For example a car travelling 100 miles at 33 miles per gallon would take 3 gallons to move one person 100 miles.

  On a train it would take 200 gallons at two miles per gallon to transport 300 people which works out it would take two thirds of a gallon to move one perso 100 miles.

  So a train is four and a half times more fuel efficient than a car.

• 8 months ago
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Open Questions in Rail

• what is data logger? how they are used in Railway Signalling System?
• Train rides and after effects?
• What are the BNSF salary bands?
• last train tomorrow night (Saturday) from Manchester Victoria station to Halifax?

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Here is another version of the same type question, as I have been wondering the same thing. I saw a TV commercial that claimed they could help get some ridiculous amount of miles per gallon and wanted to check it out. This answer sounds more realistic, .

How many miles per gallon does a diesel Train do. Cheers.?

• 8 months ago

Report It

by The Tank Member sinceJuly 19, 2006Total points8352 (Level 5)

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Best Answer - Chosen by AskerMost British main line locomotives of the 1960's and 1970's could manage almost 1 mpg average. This would typically be pulling 400 tons at up to 90mph.

Deisel multiple units would manage anything up to 12 mpg or more.

These days the modern trains have far more fuel-efficient engines but they also have all manner of electronic equipment and air conditioning, power doors, super bright lighting etc. to run. It's probably still more than 1 mpg but not as much as we would hope.

The Canadian built EWS freight locos are also very thirsty beasts.

Having said that, their pollution emissions are far better than they used to be.

PS I mean Imperial gallons, not the smaller US variety.

• 8 months ago

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Asker's RatingAsker's CommentVery good answer. I did not realise that D.M.U,s (like the 220) did up to 12 mpg. I doubt you would get anything near this with a class 43 (H.S.T) Or a class 56. Yes I should imagine a class 66 loco would be a very thirst beast. My fav is still the class 47 loco witha top speed of 95mph. Cheers

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Timothy Baldwin

I think that 12mpg refers to smaller slower DMUs. Report It

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• by dels replies Member sinceFebruary 28, 2007Total points29017 (Level 7)

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    Surely that should be "how many gallons to a mile".

  • 8 months ago
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• by rklee012... Member sinceJune 13, 2007Total points1162 (Level 3)

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    It depends on weather or not there climbing hills or not. it also depends on the load it is hauling. In any case not very much!

  • 8 months ago
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by Sal*UK Member sinceJune 10, 2007Total points31264 (Level 7)

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  Or even how many gallons in an hour!

  It has to vary - depends what its pulling, whether its at standstill, speed it runs at.

  http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6564172...

  Interesting article there - but I don't think it gives actual fuel usage.

• 8 months ago
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• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by giles b'stard Member sinceJune 15, 2007Total points923 (Level 2)

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  I think about 200 tonne miles per gallon is a ballpark figure,

  Automobiles manage 20 tonne miles per gallon as a ballpark , like 1960 Mini 1/2 Tonne 40mpg, Range Rover 3 Tonne 13 mpg.

• 8 months ago
• 0 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by Del Piero 10 Member sinceOctober 29, 2006Total points25802 (Level 7)

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  An Australian NR class locomotive http://locopage.railpage.org.au/sra/pn_n...

  hauling 1300 tonnes will use 11,500 litres of diesel on the 852 mile trip between Melbourne and Brisbane which equates to 3.56 US gallons per mile or 2.96 Imperial gallons per mile.

• 8 months ago
• 2 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by HOGHEAD Member sinceJuly 07, 2006Total points30775 (Level 7)

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  The formula is 'Ton Miles Per Gallon' of fuel. This of course is widely variable and there is no set answer.

  But, your older GE and EMD engines will burn up 196 gallons of fuel per hour, at full rack (run 8, full power).

  Newer, more fuel efficient models, have cut this by a significant amount to around 160 gallons per hour.

  Most locomotives are equipped with a 4,200 gallon fuel tank, and this is usually enough to cover 1,000 miles on the older equipment.

  It goes without saying that the most fuel is burned when accelerating the train up to speed. Once at that point, a much lower throttle position can keep the tonnage rolling well.

• 8 months ago
• 0 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by cedley19... Member sinceMarch 27, 2006Total points3832 (Level 4)

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  A UK train with six carriages will use between 1.5 to 2 gallons of fuel per mile. Given it could be carrying 300 people that's not bad even at two gallons.

  For example a car travelling 100 miles at 33 miles per gallon would take 3 gallons to move one person 100 miles.

  On a train it would take 200 gallons at two miles per gallon to transport 300 people which works out it would take two thirds of a gallon to move one perso 100 miles.

  So a train is four and a half times more fuel efficient than a car.

• 8 months ago
• 0 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

Open Questions in Rail

• what is data logger? how they are used in Railway Signalling System?
• Train rides and after effects?
• What are the BNSF salary bands?
• last train tomorrow night (Saturday) from Manchester Victoria station to Halifax?

Resolved Questions in Rail

• how to become a train driver?
• why do busses stop on railroad tracks before crossing?
• The Railroad line in Colorado Springs, CO?
• Is the Young Person's Rail Card the best deal on offer for full time students?

See your message here...

Answers International:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Quebec
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Spain
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam
• en Español

Here is another version of the same type question, as I have been wondering the same thing. I saw a TV commercial that claimed they could help get some ridiculous amount of miles per gallon and wanted to check it out. This answer sounds more realistic, .

How many miles per gallon does a diesel Train do. Cheers.?

• 8 months ago

Report It

by The Tank Member sinceJuly 19, 2006Total points8352 (Level 5)

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Best Answer - Chosen by AskerMost British main line locomotives of the 1960's and 1970's could manage almost 1 mpg average. This would typically be pulling 400 tons at up to 90mph.

Deisel multiple units would manage anything up to 12 mpg or more.

These days the modern trains have far more fuel-efficient engines but they also have all manner of electronic equipment and air conditioning, power doors, super bright lighting etc. to run. It's probably still more than 1 mpg but not as much as we would hope.

The Canadian built EWS freight locos are also very thirsty beasts.

Having said that, their pollution emissions are far better than they used to be.

PS I mean Imperial gallons, not the smaller US variety.

• 8 months ago

• 1 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

Asker's RatingAsker's CommentVery good answer. I did not realise that D.M.U,s (like the 220) did up to 12 mpg. I doubt you would get anything near this with a class 43 (H.S.T) Or a class 56. Yes I should imagine a class 66 loco would be a very thirst beast. My fav is still the class 47 loco witha top speed of 95mph. Cheers

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Timothy Baldwin

I think that 12mpg refers to smaller slower DMUs. Report It

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Other Answers (7)Show: All AnswersOldest to NewestNewest to OldestRated Highest to Lowest

• by dels replies Member sinceFebruary 28, 2007Total points29017 (Level 7)

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    Surely that should be "how many gallons to a mile".

  • 8 months ago
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  • 1 Rating: Bad Answer
  • Report It

• by rklee012... Member sinceJune 13, 2007Total points1162 (Level 3)

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    It depends on weather or not there climbing hills or not. it also depends on the load it is hauling. In any case not very much!

  • 8 months ago
  • 0 Rating: Good Answer
  • 0 Rating: Bad Answer
  • Report It

by Sal*UK Member sinceJune 10, 2007Total points31264 (Level 7)

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  Or even how many gallons in an hour!

  It has to vary - depends what its pulling, whether its at standstill, speed it runs at.

  http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6564172...

  Interesting article there - but I don't think it gives actual fuel usage.

• 8 months ago
• 0 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by giles b'stard Member sinceJune 15, 2007Total points923 (Level 2)

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  I think about 200 tonne miles per gallon is a ballpark figure,

  Automobiles manage 20 tonne miles per gallon as a ballpark , like 1960 Mini 1/2 Tonne 40mpg, Range Rover 3 Tonne 13 mpg.

• 8 months ago
• 0 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by Del Piero 10 Member sinceOctober 29, 2006Total points25802 (Level 7)

• Add to My Contacts
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  An Australian NR class locomotive http://locopage.railpage.org.au/sra/pn_n...

  hauling 1300 tonnes will use 11,500 litres of diesel on the 852 mile trip between Melbourne and Brisbane which equates to 3.56 US gallons per mile or 2.96 Imperial gallons per mile.

• 8 months ago
• 2 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by HOGHEAD Member sinceJuly 07, 2006Total points30775 (Level 7)

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  The formula is 'Ton Miles Per Gallon' of fuel. This of course is widely variable and there is no set answer.

  But, your older GE and EMD engines will burn up 196 gallons of fuel per hour, at full rack (run 8, full power).

  Newer, more fuel efficient models, have cut this by a significant amount to around 160 gallons per hour.

  Most locomotives are equipped with a 4,200 gallon fuel tank, and this is usually enough to cover 1,000 miles on the older equipment.

  It goes without saying that the most fuel is burned when accelerating the train up to speed. Once at that point, a much lower throttle position can keep the tonnage rolling well.

• 8 months ago
• 0 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

by cedley19... Member sinceMarch 27, 2006Total points3832 (Level 4)

• Add to My Contacts
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  A UK train with six carriages will use between 1.5 to 2 gallons of fuel per mile. Given it could be carrying 300 people that's not bad even at two gallons.

  For example a car travelling 100 miles at 33 miles per gallon would take 3 gallons to move one person 100 miles.

  On a train it would take 200 gallons at two miles per gallon to transport 300 people which works out it would take two thirds of a gallon to move one perso 100 miles.

  So a train is four and a half times more fuel efficient than a car.

• 8 months ago
• 0 Rating: Good Answer
• 0 Rating: Bad Answer
• Report It

Open Questions in Rail

• what is data logger? how they are used in Railway Signalling System?
• Train rides and after effects?
• What are the BNSF salary bands?
• last train tomorrow night (Saturday) from Manchester Victoria station to Halifax?

Resolved Questions in Rail

• how to become a train driver?
• why do busses stop on railroad tracks before crossing?
• The Railroad line in Colorado Springs, CO?
• Is the Young Person's Rail Card the best deal on offer for full time students?

See your message here...

Answers International:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Quebec
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Spain
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam
• en Español