A locomotive cabin adsorption air-conditioner has been equipped in #DF4B-2369 locomotive; and has been successfully run for 2 years. It is powered by waste heat from the exhaust of the diesel engine. The influence on heat transfer is described by the equivalent heat transfer coefficient or thermal resistance of components inside the adsorber. The variation of adsorption capacity is expressed by a non-equilibrium adsorption function. The dynamic heat transfer process of adsorption air-conditioning system is treated with the lumped parameter method. Some typical running experimental results are present. The diesel engine rotating speed and locomotive speed influenced on the refrigeration system are discussed. The maximum mean refrigeration power is regarded as an objective function. Based on experiments and theoretical analysis, the running characteristics of the air-conditioning system are optimized. Some techniques of performance improvement are suggested as well. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.