Locomotive drivers can feel uncomfortable in a torrid working environment, especially in the hot summer. The current locomotive driver cabin air conditioning system cannot meet the demands of operating conditions and environmental protection. A locomotive driver cabin adsorption air conditioning system has been developed. This new type of system employs zeolite-water as the working pair and is powered by waste heat from the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. Operating experiments of a prototype machine showed that this system has a lot of unique advantages compared to a traditional air conditioning system. It is feasible and practical to apply this system for locomotive driver cabin space cooling. The working principle of the system is introduced. Some experimental results are present. The characteristics of the system are discussed as well. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.