Re: Modern Steam Locomotives -- Spearfish Lake Tales

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Subject: Re: Modern Steam Locomotives

Author:
Marv

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Date Posted: 21:44:20 07/22/12 Sun
In reply to: Dmitri 's message, "Re: Modern Steam Locomotives" on 17:36:48 07/20/12 Fri

>What I thought of it was the loss of efficiencies in
>converting one power source to another (and another,
>and another) before actually driving the wheels (or
>propeller). What is the efficiency losses involved in
>a diesel engine running a generator running an
>electric motor? There must be a valid reason for it
>or it wouldn't be done. Hydrogen is "clean" but
>generating/obtaining, transporting, and storage of
>hydrogen is dangerous and not cheap. Not that
>gasoline isn't also (other than to produce).
>
>Dmitri
>
>>In chapter 18 of Hannegan's Cove, the idea of a modern
>>steam locomotive is mentioned in passing. The idea
>>struck me as very interesting for two reasons: 1.
>>modern diesel locomotives use the diesel engine to
>>generate electric power, which drives electric motors;
>>2. the late-generation steamships, especially naval
>>vessels, used steam turbines to generate electricity
>>which drove electric motors (basically one step from
>>current nuclear subs and carriers).
>>
>>So it seems that steam-turbine electric locomotives
>>are technically feasible and might have clear
>>environmental advantages. Maybe if they burn hydrogen
>>to produce the steam?
>>
>>Did anybody else think along these lines?

Probably not cost effective. The Navy has been replacing steam turbines with gas turbines. During
Desert Shield is was cheaper to send a gas turbine Destroyer from Norfolk to the Persian Gulf,than to send a steam turbine Destroyer from the Mediterranean.

U.S. Nay tugboat YTM 409 had a four cylinder diesel engine driving a generator to power a 900 hp electric main engine. The electric engine was not a powerful as the diesel main engine on a YTB.

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