Rail Submarine

The first Soviet diesel-electric locomotive was designed by Yakov Gakkel, an aircraft engineer, and Prof. Alexander Rayevsky, chief designer of Putilov Works.

It was powered by a 1000hp Vickers diesel submarine engine and two Volta electric generators, also intended for use in submarines. Top speed was 75 km/h.

The Ge-1 made its first commercial run on January 16, 1925. It is preserved at the railway museum in Saint-Petersburg.

Color photo: Sergey Nemanov via Wikimedia Commons