Oct 20, 2009: Electric Locomotive

From the early 1800s to the mid 1900s the custom built steam locomotive was king.
It was replaced by cheaper to make and service, cookie cutter diesel locomotives.
Whereas on the steam locomotives steam drove the wheels, on newer locomotives, diesel engines drove a generator,
making electricity to power electric motors, that actually turned the wheels.
Sound familiar? Hybrid cars?

The Norfolk Southern Railroad had a better different idea... batteries.

Can I get Congressman Shuster to buy me one with your money?

That actually makes a lot of sense. Since most the cars are just moved around on level ground, if they actually slow the cars back down instead of coasting them, they would get most of the acceleration energy back. Only losses would be due to efficiency. The efficiency would be around 90%.

Now the good senator needs to add 50 flat cars with solar panels!

http://www.trainweb.org/greengoats/
These guys tried and failed to produce and market the concept. Company didn't come out of the recession.

No emissions from lead-acid batteries?? What about from the power plant that's charging them?

There are new much cleaner burning developments in diesel engines that could have been incorporated, but oh no, we're going to go "green extreme". Whether it makes any sense, or not.

I can hear the telephone conversation now:

"I'm calling back to see what you think about our new no emissions locomotive - isn't it a marvel?

And don't forget out special deal on emergency umbilical cords, on every marvel-motive we sell this month!"

"I manage 10,385 miles of converging rail lines leading into Indy, 24 hours a day. I don't have time to play with your toy engine that requires 10 hours to recharge, after every 24 hours of work. And no, I don't need an emergency extension cord, 500 miles long!"

"We call them 'umbilical cords' because that makes them sound so natural and earth-friendly, and ..."

"Click"

"Hello? Hello?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Peas http://www.trainweb.org/greengoats/ These guys tried and failed to produce and market the concept. Company didn't come out of the recession.

inverted green satanic foam

I liked this best:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adak There are new much cleaner burning developments in diesel engines that could have been incorporated, but oh no, we're going to go "green extreme". Whether it makes any sense, or not.

I would think the Diesel locomotive has an advantage, unlike cars, in that so little of it's running time is unladen. It has to be more efficient when it's working.

The most eco-friendly form of transportation... is walking... bare-foot.

That'll give you the lowest carbon footprint, of all.

--

Also, xoxoxoBruce: The pen is mightier than the sword, whilst actions speak louder than words, because a strongly-worded letter (action + pen) will do more for your cause, than yelling like a mad-man whilst brandishing a sword (word + sword!)

I hope I've cleared your confusion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDaVinciChode The most eco-friendly form of transportation... is walking... bare-foot. That'll give you the lowest carbon footprint, of all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce Wrong, all those band-aids and their packaging, not to mention peroxide and it's plastic bottles, would create a landfill crisis.