[steam_tech] Re: TRAINS.com latest- can steam make a comeback?

[NW Mailing List]

Gary,

On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 2:09 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:


> I would assume that just about all the major drawbacks for steam would

> involve logistics.

>

> Controlling solid fuel firing rates is much more difficult (and less

> efficient) than controlling any fluid's firing rate. One might fire the

> engine with diesel, but then the volatility of petroleum fuel prices would

> continue to be a factor.



More difficult yes but not a show stopper.



>

>

> Feed water efficiency could certainly be improved, but even significantly

> improved miles/tender load would  probably still require a logistics

> pipeline that would have to be established/re-established (does anyone know

> how far the Jawn Henry could go on a load of feed water?).



The range for water on a modern steam engine could be about half the range
of that for a diesel, but the range for coal could be equal to the diesel.
 Please see the paper I wrote that went around the list earlier this year.



>

>

> While valve packing and seals have improved a great deal since steam

> engines were actively maintained in service, it might be hard to get the

> maintenance of a steam engine down to the scope and simplicity of a diesel

> engine's, while maintaining a very high level of efficiency in feed water

> consumption.



In the same paper I laid out the evidence of why it would be most likely
that a modern steam locomotive would be equal or cheaper to maintain than a
modern diesel.



>

>

> I can think of a few other very hard spots associated with operating a

> steam engine today, but the single greatest impediment might be a lack of

> sufficient expertise. "Re-growing" that expertise would carry a lot of up

> front and mid term costs, which would increase the risk of attempting to

> adopt steam technology.

>


This is the institutional hurdle that would be the most difficult.  Have you
heard of the concept of "Path Dependency"?



>

> HOWEVER... having been a steam engineer for a good part of my adult life, I

> would sure like to see a steam engine come into service, and be able to pay

> its way.



I as well.



>

>

>

> Just my .0129 euros.

>

>

> Gary Misch

> Syria, VA




John Rhodes
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