Depends on the type of locomotive traction generator - DC or AC.
DC (older) locomotives are cranked by dumping battery power to the main generator. The generator becomes a motor which spins up the diesel engine.
Newer AC locomotives require a separate geared electric or pneumatic starter. This is because the traction generator (actually an AC alternator) cannot be motored on battery current. Two starters are are generally used to achieve the crankshaft RPM required for reliable cold starting.
AFIK no starting aids (glow plugs, manifold heaters, etc) are required on mainline diesel locomotives.
Incidentally the sound of a pneumatic-start locomotive getting cranking up is one you are not likely to forget!
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Today's Featured Article - Hydraulics - Cylinder Anatomy - by Curtis von Fange. Let’s make one more addition to our series on hydraulics. I’ve noticed a few questions in the comment section that could pertain to hydraulic cylinders so I thought we could take a short look at this real workhorse of the circuit. Cylinders are the reason for the hydraulic circuit. They take the fluid power delivered from the pump and magically change it into mechanical power. There are many types of cylinders that one might run across on a farm scenario. Each one could take a chapter in
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