> In article <3534e55f.27203343@news.magna.com.au>, kingpin1@ozemail.com.au wrote:
>
> >On Mon, 13 Apr 1998 18:18:46 +0800, "John Fenn"
> ><j-k-fenn@vianet.net.au> took time out from wrapping gaffer tape
> >around gerbils and wrote:
>
> <Background info deleted.>.
>
> >> Here are my big questions. Can anyone tell me :-
>
> >> Can you run a steam engine on liquefied natural gas?
>
> Yes. The Bally Hooley steam tourist train service at Mossman in Queensland was
> gas fired. I am not sure of the actual gas used, but I suspect it was LPG.
> Unfortunately, the train has stopped running.
>
> >A steam engine can run on any fuel. All it needs it heat for the
> >boiler. Of course, solid fuels like timber and coal are the easiest
> >to use due to their simple storage requirements. Oil fired
> >locomotives have been used overseas (not sure if they were ever used
> >here???).
>
> The WAGR U class locos were oil fired. Also some members of the J and C class
> locos of the VR. I suspect some other railways also used oil on some locos at
> some stage.
NSWGR had the 59class, wich where first imported an ran on oil. At some stage, the K
class (D55) was converted to burn oil, this was due to a coal minors strike at the
time, many where converted back to coal burning after the strike.
>
>
>
> >> Due to the extremely hot dry conditions here steam cannot be used except in
> >> the dead of winter due to the fire risk. In addition the cost of
> >> transporting coal and the associated costs of handling it would be too high.
>
> >In the US in the past in high fire risk areas, such as coal mines,
> >another type of locomotive was used. A compressed air loco. Rather
> >than the boiler/firebox, they had large cylinders mounted in their
> >place. These were pressurised to around 600psi. One hassle with them
> >was running out of air.
>
> >> It has occurred to me that an engine running on gas, pulling a large tank of
> >> the stuff, towing a couple of cars would be a useful addition to our valleys
> >> tourist attractions.
>
> >Such a unique attraction would be sure to attract people.
>
> John McCallum
-- Bye for now, Eben.