To understand how it works, watch this awesome animation video by animagraffs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQ0yIZgQeE
Systems, Components and Functionality all 3 are discussed in the above video so I won't be going over that here. But let's jump straight into what are documents and specification that you need to comply while building one and which are the companies that will help you get it into the shape you are expecting.
These are the specifications and companies for helping you in the process of building the broad-gauge underframe, that supports the entire weight of the freight car:
1. Broad Gauge (BG) wagon underframe document compiled by the Indian Railways: https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1341903231211-E_chp5.pdf. Everything related to the dimensions is given in the document as well.
2. Everything you saw in the video that connects directly to the underframe by welds, the diesel fuel tank, body frame and the underframe itself, is built by a very prominent locomotive parts fabrication company called Taikisha Engineering India (it's a JV of Taikisha Japan) and they have a location in Pune at this address: Gate No. 321/323, Pune Nagar road, Dist, Tal, Shirur, Kondhapuri, Maharashtra 412209
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the Prime Mover Engine:
1. Cummins Diesel QSK38 - G-Drive-Rail Model: https://www.cummins.com/en-in/g-drive-engines/products/diesel-qsk38-series
2. Caterpillar - EMD 1010 T4 : https://www.progressrail.com/en/segments/locomotive/engines/rail-engines
3. Everything to read about operating the engine and the locomotive is given in this document compiled by the Indian Railways: https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1659008799735-ALCO%20Study%20Material-English.pdf
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the lube oil tanks and oil filters:
1. Chetan Krishna Engineering: https://chetankrishnaengg.co.in/lube-oil-tanks/
2. Donaldson Filteration Solutions: https://www.donaldson.com/en/
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the turbocharging, filtration and cooling:
1. Apollo Heat Exchangers: https://apollohx.com/charge-air-cooler-for-diesel-locomotive/
2. Accelleron Turbochargers (Large Turbo): https://accelleron.com/products/turbochargers/tpr
3. Accelleron Turbochargers (Small Turbo): https://accelleron.com/products/turbochargers/tps-f
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the Exhaust Gas Recirculation:
1. MTU Rolls-Royce - 4000 R04: https://www.mtu-solutions.com/seai/en/applications/rail/locomotive-solutions/product-highlight-series-4000-r04.html
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the water tank:
1. Hanson Tank WL-932-B: https://hansontank.com/chilled-water-buffer-tanks/wl932b/
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the radiator:
1. GM- Radiators: https://www.gm-radiator.com/?slp=servicerail&sl=Locomotive+Radiators
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the automatic water dump valve:
1. ThermOmegaTech GURU DL2.1: https://www.thermomegatech.com/product/guru-dl2-1/
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the alternator that the diesel engine turns, and the traction motor and the traction convertor:
1. Medha Servo Drives (ones that the Indian railways use as well): https://medha.com/product/traction-alternators/
2. Medha Servo Drives: https://medha.com/product/medha-traction-motors/
3. Siemens Mobility Solution for Traction convertors: https://www.mobility.siemens.com/global/en/portfolio/rolling-stock-components/traction-converters.html
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the battery for starting the locomotive and powering the locomotive for a short distance:
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the bogies:
1. Siemens MoComp: https://www.mobility.siemens.com/global/en/portfolio/rolling-stock-components/bogie-technology.html
2. Alstom Bogies: https://www.alstom.com/solutions/components/flexx-bogies-safety-reliability-and-comfort-all-trains
3. Titagarh (Used by Indian Railways): https://www.titagarh.in/service/railway-freight/components/cast-bogies
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the pneumatic braking system and sand systems:
1. Wabtec (complete braking system package provided): https://www.wabteccorp.com/locomotive/braking-systems/pneumatic-components
These are the companies for helping you in the process of installing the event recorders and everything related to the train driver cabin:
1. Wabtec: https://www.wabteccorp.com/digital-intelligence/electronics-and-components/event-recorders
2. Electric power components in the cabin: https://www.wabteccorp.com/locomotive/cab-components/electric-power-conversion-units
And obviously you need a lot of bolts which you can get from players like Fastenal which provide quality bolts for such high-stake projects
Uff... finally completed listing out all the major players who have contributed to building the locomotive ecosystem.
So, coming to answer the question we started with. No, I can't build it all alone because this will require a lot of negotiations with the suppliers, specifications being laid out right, lots of quality inspection for each component need to be done, lots of planning required for each, lots of quality checks, assembling and testing process need to be state of the art. It will require a team of roughly 100 people to this. But if you are really keen on starting out then this post is your "Jack Sparrow's Compass"