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[quote user="dinwitty"]I havent read this whole thread, but the issue of efficiency was known for steam locomotives, but the N&W western did compare steam and diesel at one time and decided to continue steam use. Experimental locomotives like  turbines didnt quite pan out as expected. The ACE locomotive research was an attempt to  revive steam locomotive development. A cost effective steamer today could be viable but diesels are so imbedded now its difficult to try a steam research development push.  Motive power development may take other turns with alternate energy development.  A versatile steamer including MUing could be done today if energy demands change, and I think some kind of constant development experimenting steam is a good thing to do and try making even a few experimental prototypes.  The diesel decision was pretty much slam dang threw the steamer out without a good development continuance. One thing can't be beat, the romance of the steamer, why I own models of 'em, gotta lovem. [/quote]That is the biggest thing that the diesel koolaid drinkers on this forum have missed:  Many components that made diesels *superior* to steam back in the day can easily be built into a modern steam locomotive - MU'ing, dynamic braking (and traction motor boosting), use of condensing to bypass water stops, that sort of thing.  Furthermore, because of steam's inherent fuel flexibility, you can now run on such things as synthetic coal or coal-water slurry, very cheap fuel compared to petroleum or biodiesel.Advantage - Steam!
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