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Re: Turbo/Generator
Gas turbines have been used in trains, at least of the smaller type that transports people without any separate locomotive. The turbines then produce the electricity that powers the electric motors that turn the wheels. Here there are probably space issues which isn't the case with a locomotive so there are no reason to switch to a more expensive less efficient turboshaft engine just because they are more powerful for their size/weight.
Only very large engines heat up the intake air, it's then done after the compressor with a heat exchanger that takes the heat from the exhaust.
If I remember correctly the typical diesel electric railway locomotive produces a couple of thousands hp. This means that the diesel should be replaceable with for example an GE LM500 or a single or dual setup of GE T64 engines and these engines are not what you can call fuel efficient, 198 and 212 g/hp and hour is what they consume, and worse at part load. A GE T64 engine in one of its more powerful versions also cost over a million dollars.
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