Modern Steam Ben Blevins

[NW Mailing List]

Ben,

Reasonable questions.  I did write to these issues in the paper.

On Jan 11, 2008 3:14 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


> Sorry.  I haven't read the report yet, but I will, so I'm not knocking

> it.  But, some things I've not seen mentioned here are:

>

> The capability to connect these locomotives together, and operate them

> from one control stand, with each one pulling evenly with the others.  The

> diesel can do this.  Could a steam turbine?  I dunno.  Could the "Modern

> Coal Burning Steam Locomotive" of the 40's and 50's?  No.  They had separate

> crews, with engineers and firemen who were masters of their art constantly

> tweaking the controls to maintain that effort. The diesel can do it with a

> flip of the reverser lever and a notch on the throttle.

>


With computer controlled boiler management and electronic controls, MUing
and one person operation is to be expected.  The RR's would not be
interested in anything else.



>

> So, can these new modern steam locomotives be MU'd together?  Is there a

> safety cab in the FRONT of the locomotive?  These ideas would have to be

> factored in as well.  Maybe they were.  Again, I don't know.  But, I'd bet

> the FRA would just about demand the cab be on the front.  The Southern

> Pacific accomplished this with oil burners, but that won't work for the coal

> stoker used on the locomotives back in the day.

>


If you can MU you can put the cab anywhere or have distributed power or
remote control for that matter.



> And, don't forget dynamic braking capabilities.  That makes a LOT of

> difference, especially in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains.  They really

> save a lot of wear on brakes, not to mention added safety and braking

> capability.  This is a major consideration.

>


That is included.



>

> I'd be the first in line to endorse modern steam on todays railroads, but,

> it would be a tough battle, and would have to have some serious money behind

> it.

>


That is true the conversion cost would be quite large.



>

> My humble opinion.

> Ben Blevins

>



I hope you enjoy reading the paper.

John R.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/nw-mailing-list/attachments/20080111/dfcb91b9/attachment-0001.html>