Fuel Cell Locomotive

[jrw249]

Just read that a fuel cell locomotive is being developed which will save railroads billions of dollars in fuel costs each year. Initial development will be put in a GP 10, 1 megawatt, and 1300 horsepower.

[jrw249]

Just read that a fuel cell locomotive is being developed which will save railroads billions of dollars in fuel costs each year. Initial development will be put in a GP 10, 1 megawatt, and 1300 horsepower.

[Anonymous]

I don't see how a fuel cell locomotive would save anything in fuel costs. The hydrogen required by the fuel cells is much more expensive to buy, store and transfer than diesel. Even figuring the efficiency difference and the idling losses, hydrogen is expensive, very clean at the final user, but expensive.

That is another thing that bothers me about the proponents of fuel cells. The statement that the hydrogen is "clean burning" and produces no "greenhouse gasses". While that statement is true as far as it goes, where does the hydrogen come from. There are no hydrogen wells or mines. It must be manufactured from oil, coal or electrically separated water. And in doing so Carbon Dioxide is released, in great quantities. That is of course unless you are using a nuke power plant, and that comes with another whole set of problems.

[Anonymous]

I don't see how a fuel cell locomotive would save anything in fuel costs. The hydrogen required by the fuel cells is much more expensive to buy, store and transfer than diesel. Even figuring the efficiency difference and the idling losses, hydrogen is expensive, very clean at the final user, but expensive.

That is another thing that bothers me about the proponents of fuel cells. The statement that the hydrogen is "clean burning" and produces no "greenhouse gasses". While that statement is true as far as it goes, where does the hydrogen come from. There are no hydrogen wells or mines. It must be manufactured from oil, coal or electrically separated water. And in doing so Carbon Dioxide is released, in great quantities. That is of course unless you are using a nuke power plant, and that comes with another whole set of problems.

[Wdlgln005]

I read the news item in Reuters about this loco. Would be used on the subway for the next time the power goes out. Then might as well use a diesel burning some fuel to make electricity. Even find some type of dynamic braking system that could save the electric generated & send it back down the wire. Maybe somebody will come out with a new device to boil water more efficiently & the steam engine will be reborn!!LOL[:D]

[Wdlgln005]

I read the news item in Reuters about this loco. Would be used on the subway for the next time the power goes out. Then might as well use a diesel burning some fuel to make electricity. Even find some type of dynamic braking system that could save the electric generated & send it back down the wire. Maybe somebody will come out with a new device to boil water more efficiently & the steam engine will be reborn!!LOL[:D]