Re: Thought exercise - steam VFT

[David Johnson <trainman@ozemail.com.au>]

James Brook wrote:

> David Bromage wrote:
> > That's not the object of the exercise. See if you can design a steam loco
> > to do it.
>
> The only possibility I can think of would be some sort of steam-electric
> type of loco. Ie: the steam from the boiler drives a turbine and then
> the electricity generated is used by traction motors. If this was built,
> it would probably be extremely large and heavy, ie: not suited for high
> speed running. If this is the case then the exercise it rather pointless
> because in the 40's or 50's lightweight diesel technology would be much
> cheaper and probably a lot more feasible.

What about a large steam turbine directly driven to the axles?  It would save
converting torque to electricity and back again (with the ensuing losses).
Controlling speed would be relatively simple.  The driver could have a great big
regulator handle hanging off the roof.

--
David Johnson
trainman@ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~trainman/
------------------------------------
These comments are made in a private
capacity and do not represent the
official view of State Rail.
C.O.W.S. Page 11.