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For other uses see Prime mover

In locomotives, the prime mover is the source of power for propulsion.^[1] The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine.

In a diesel-mechanical locomotive, prime mover refers to the diesel engine that is mechanically coupled to the driving wheels (drivers). In a diesel-electric locomotive, prime mover refers to the diesel engine that rotates the main generator responsible for producing electricity to power the traction motors that are geared to the drivers. The prime mover can also be a gas turbine instead of a diesel engine. In either case, the generator, traction motors and interconnecting apparatus are considered to be the power transmission system and not part of the prime mover.

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