An electric drive machine includes an electric drive system including an internal combustion engine and an electrical power generator coupled to the internal combustion engine. An electronic controller is in control communication with the electric drive system and is configured to determine an estimated temperature of a rotor of the electrical power generator at least in part by determining a rotor temperature rise estimation, compare the estimated rotor temperature to a rotor temperature threshold, and initiate an excessive temperature action if the estimated rotor temperature is greater than or equal to the rotor temperature threshold.