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By that calculation a train with 4 engines at 5,000 hp each could not climb much of a grade!
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If they weighed 6000tonnes and only 5000hp then you are right. That's like only having 5/6 of a hp per tonne of weight. Imagine trying to move a tonne of steel with a lawnmower engine. I'm not sure what a diesel train engine does weigh, but probably alot less than a nuclear reactor. Say they weigh 200 tonnes and 5000 hp. That means you have 25 hp per tonne of weight. Our nuclear one was 134khp/6000tonnes, or around 22hp per tonne. Now you said 4 engines @ 5000hp each... the excess power can push your cars. Plus you can afford to have 4 engines easily. To run a 6kilotonne nuclear engine would also require extremely heavy duty tracks to support the pressure. With the weight spread out, the diesel can easily be run on relatively light guage tracks. Also I think momentum plays a large role in a train's ability to climb grades. I dont think many trains can climb a steep grade from a dead stop.
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Point I was making is that no matter what Al Gore says Trains will be powered by diesels for a long time.....possibly bio-diesel.
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You are right. The new technology and complete overhaul of the system would cost so much that it will be a long time before they can justify a complete changeover to alternate fuels.
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Last edited by NBhunter80 : 07-24-2008 at 10:28 AM.
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