To accomplish the benefits, a basic design would require building two locomotive bodies. The first body, the "Power Platform," would carry a heavier, more powerful, power assembly than would normally be permitted under the weight limitations of the railway. The second body, the "Auxiliary Platform," would carry the fuel tanks, batteries, compressor, air reservoirs, brake equipment and any other ancillary components and equipment that can be successfully transferred, until the weight of the "Power Platform" has been reduced back to the required limit.
The locomotive can be constructed in a variety of formats. Some sample configurations are displayed below. The number of rigid bodies and wheel arrangements on them are variable, depending on the requirements of the railway operator. A driving cab would normally be included in the locomotive body at each outer end of the Articuloco to reduce the need for turning when required to operate in the opposite direction.
To obtain the tractive effort required to start a heavy train or ascend a ruling grade the power assembly would supply energy to all traction motors on the unit. As speed is increased and the requirement for tractive effort is reduced, and more horsepower is required the energy could be supplied to a reduced proportionate number of traction motors.
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Co-Co-Co Configuration
Bo-Bo + Bo-Bo Configuration
Co-Co + Co-Co Configuration
Co-Co + Bo-Bo Configuration
