Using Train Simulator to measure fuel economy.

[Paul Milenkovic]

I am new to this forum, and I am wondering if someone could answer a question.

With the very high price of gas and oil, fuel efficiency is on the top of everyone's mind.  Is there any way to use any of the train simulators to figure out how much fuel is used by, say, the Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha train?

I guess one answer would be to ask Amtrak, but Amtrak famously does not keep records of fuel usage by train and route segment -- the only numbers are aggregates that mix the apples of long distance trains like the Empire Builder with the oranges of the Hiawatha train.

What I have in mind is setting up train simulator software for the Chicago-Milwaukee run, taking into account the grades and speed restrictions over different parts of the route, practicing how to drive the train over that route, and figuring out how much time the locomotive spends in each throttle notch.  The fuel consumption of different locomotives at different throttle notch settings is available on the Web.

How accurate or controllable are the train resistance formulas in the train simulation software -- could you substitute a Colorado Railcars DMU self-propelled Diesel car for the Hiawatha consist and compare performance, schedule keeping, and fuel use?  If there are train resistance formulas, are there also formulas for the power drain of HEP power to run the air conditioners or coach heat?

I really don't know whether train simulation software has this capability, but this would be important in public policy debates regarding getting public funding for trains to say, "Based on simulation software, the Hiawatha train gets twice the fuel mileage of the average car," or "A train of Colorado Railcar DMU's have enough power to achieve a 1Hr 10Min schedule if the track speed limit were increased to 110 MPH."  It would be helpful to get independent verification of claims regarding speed, schedules, fuel use rather than relying on experts all the time.

[plokky]

Hi Paul,

it all depends on how accurate the simulation is. I worked for the Dutch and German Railways and did a project for both companies in fuel consumption of electric trains. Only a difference in variables, but nevertheless to find a good simulation to calculate depends on many thinks.
The train sims around cannot handle that kind of accuracy.
A big variable is the engineer itself or even the weather. Also how to document HOW to save fuel. Despite many calculations it is only an approximate value.

It's not impossible though, but who is willing to invest? I know a lot of trick how to, but it is simply expensive to make it accurate.

I am currently working very hard on a professionally working Train Dispatching Simulation that shows the  Dispatcher the effects of his (late) actions. Certainly as a game interesting, but also as a  method to show fuel consumption or the avalance effect if one thing goes wrong, how the system (should not) collaps.