on video How does an electric locomotive work?

 How does an electric locomotive work?

Electric locomotives have been providing traction power to trains since 1837. Unlike steam and diesel locomotives, electric locomotives do not carry their fuel on board. Instead, the fuel could be located hundreds of miles away at a power station, in the form of coal or other energy sources, and delivered to the locomotive by cables.
An electric locomotive is essentially a box filled with transformers and semiconductors that converts electricity collected from external sources to the desired voltage to drive traction motors.

One might be surprised to learn that in electric trains, energy from overhead lines ends up in the track grounding cable after circulating in the wheels. Three-phase power conversion, regenerative braking and zigzag overhead lines give electric train technology a unique character... We're going to look at all the engineering secrets that make electric trains work, by starting with the simplest possible design.

 How does an electric locomotive work?

Electric locomotives have been providing traction power to trains since 1837. Unlike steam and diesel locomotives, electric locomotives do not carry their fuel on board. Instead, the fuel could be located hundreds of miles away at a power station, in the form of coal or other energy sources, and delivered to the locomotive by cables.
An electric locomotive is essentially a box filled with transformers and semiconductors that converts electricity collected from external sources to the desired voltage to drive traction motors.

One might be surprised to learn that in electric trains, energy from overhead lines ends up in the track grounding cable after circulating in the wheels. Three-phase power conversion, regenerative braking and zigzag overhead lines give electric train technology a unique character... We're going to look at all the engineering secrets that make electric trains work, by starting with the simplest possible design.