What Is an Electric Locomotive?
An electric locomotive is a type of train that is powered by electricity. This source of electricity usually comes from an external area such as a third rail, a battery, or overhead electrical lines. Locomotives that also include a diesel or gas motor are classified as diesel-electric locomotives. Even though the electric locomotive still exists today, the first electric train was actually developed during the 1800s. Robert Davidson of Aberdeen, Scotland, created the first electric train in 1837. Davidson’s train was powered by batteries, though at the time batteries were referred to as “galvanic cells.” Later, Davidson created another train dubbed “Galvani” that was on display at the Royal Scottish Society of Arts in 1841. The Galvani was tested on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, though insufficient battery life made the train impractical for passenger use.
