1. As you noted the idea of turbo traction is not new and in past has
been investigated intensively, including building the prototype locos,
in USA, Russia, Germany etc.
2. There are couple of major problems with this kind of prime-power:
2.1 Expensive maintenance relatively to diesel or electric locos
2.2 Shorter work life span of the turbo engines than diesel
2.3 The turbo drive requires powerful gearbox (3, 4, 5, 6, or 12,000 HP
?) to reduce rpm’s - this will significantly degrade the efficiency of
the whole transmission
2.3 The high noise emission of the turbo requires elaborated insulation
for the crew cab, if you do not care about noise pollution for roos or
dingos in midst of outback, have mercy to folks around terminus
stations, where the loco should pick up the heavy trains.
3. It is still a very exciting idea - to have in Australia commercial
use of turbolocos, but so far, unfortunately, we, Australians, did not
develop any new concept for any kind of transport - except, perhaps,
lawn mowers and tenders (or pick-ups - for Americans). Therefore it is
not good idea to search on somebody else’s backyard and to try to
introduce here an underdeveloped concept, when the major railway players
give it up many time ago.
4. We have in this country very good and well developed rolling stock
manufacturing industry and we must to give an opportunity to manufacture
more and better equipment which we do know how to do and do not provide
new workplaces in other countries that not giving a dime for us.
5. I would vote for “a good old” diesel electric locos serving the Steel
Mississippi of Australia.
Tibor