b. Switch engines. Fuel requirements for switch engines are
based on the number of these engines required and the hourly
consumption rate of each type of locomotive. The average number of
hours of operation for switch engines is 20 hours daily; 4 hours are
allowed for servicing and maintenance. When estimating the amount of
fuel required for switch engines, the first step is to multiply the
actual number of switch engines required (not including the 20
percent reserve factor as explained in chapter 3) by 20, the average
number of hours of operation. Next, multiply the result by the
appropriate fuel consumption factor from table VIII. The result is
the fuel consumption rate per day of operation. Multiply this by 30
to find the number of gallons required per month, and add 5 percent
to allow for contingencies. Following is an example of computing the
fuel requirements for switch engines.
In the example presented in the preceding subparagraph, assume
that you have already figured that you need seven switch engines to
operate the twodivision railroad. Since all engines are the same
type, compute the fuel rate as follows:
First, multiply the number of engines required by 20 to find
the number of hours of operation per day.
7 x 20 = 140 hours
Second, look at table VIII and find the consumption rate for the 60
ton dieselelectric locomotive; it is 8 gallons per hour. Multiply
this consumption factor by the number of hours per day of operation
to find the number of gallons of oil required each day.
140 x 8 = 1,120 gallons per day
Next, multiply the gallons per day by 30 to determine the amount
required per month.
1,120 x 30 = 33,600 gallons of oil per month
Finally, add 5 percent to allow for contingencies.
33,600 x .05 = 1,680 33,600 +.1,680 = 35,280 gallons
The amount of oil required for the switch engines for these two
divisions is 35, 280 gallons per month.
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