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[quote user="MichaelSol"][quote user="Bucyrus"] Michael, I did not think I was being shrill and arguing with a mind made up.  It's still not made up.  And I don't have a religious conviction that steam must be inferior.[/quote]Don't take it personally. My students would gladly tell you I have two rules in class: 1) there IS such a thing as a stupid question, and 2) what's it cost? The idea is -- do your homework (read the book), don't make assumptions, think about it, and calculate everything through to the ultimate financial impact. I am not well designed for Trains forums where these useful rules are inverted ...[/quote]I agree that homework, calculations and cost effectiveness are certainly important, but I am skeptical of a prohibition on making assumptions.  Assumptions help frame a possible explanation.  So rather than just looking for an explanation, I think it helps to imagine every possible explanation, and then work backwards to verify them if possible.Just to review, I have a question for you.  During our discussion of HP/TE, you have established the following: If you compare a 5600 hp diesel to an 8400 hp steamer that have equal weight on drivers:The steamer develops higher maximum hp.The steamer develops its maximum hp at a relatively high speed during its acceleration, while the diesel develops its maximum hp at a relatively low speed during its acceleration.Conclusion:  At these levels of hp, the steamer has an hp curve that gives it an advantage over the diesel in pulling a train.  If you compare a 3000 hp diesel to a 3000 hp steamer which has 1/3 the weight on drivers of the diesel:The two locomotives develop identical maximum hp.The two locomotives develop their maximum hp at a relatively low speed during their acceleration.  Conclusion:  At these levels of hp, both locomotives have nearly identical hp curves; so neither has an advantage over the other in pulling a train.  Is my understanding of this correct?
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