"The railroad condition in the United States at the present time is practically steam operation, interrupted by a few isolated zones of electric traction in and near cities . . . or in long tunnels . . . or on exceptionally heavy grades ... " This design if for a locomotive that can run on its own power plant or on current generated by an outside power station. This would allow the locomotive to easily move over electrified and non-electrified tracks. 1927. Invented by Howard L. Ingersoll.