Re: New steam locomotives for India

["Taliesin Walker" <taliesin@nospam.chariot.net.au>]

> Hmm, when I saw the subject header, I thought that this would signal a
> glorious comeback of the age of steam..... :P~
>
> Seriously though, I'm not a huge fan of steam but, from an economic
> sense, surely steam traction would be better? In many parts of the
> world (northern England, New South Wales, Appalachia) coal is so cheap
> that it's hardly worth digging out of the ground resulting in thousands
> of job losses in coal-mining regions throughout coal mining regions,
> which flow on into manufacturing industries, etc.
>
> Australia is also self-sufficient in coal; but we have to import crude
> oil. The current oil situation shows just how dependent our energy
> needs are on a bunch of towelhead sheiks in the Middle East. What if
> they decide to cut the supply altogether, say, during a 'holy jihad'
> against Western nations, or if the oil reserves run out?
>
> It may be dirtier and not as fast, but bring back coal-fired steam
> traction for freight (and maybe long distance passenger) - CHOO CHOO!
>
> Regards,
> Bradley.
Electricity might be a better solution?

Tali