BNSF_GP60M wrote:It it true that GE has released prototype hybrid road locos?
Yes they have. If you follow this link,
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=11119&Page=1
there are some pictures. The Hybrid Evolution is the bright green and blue unit with the dark green leaf on the side. I am impressed at the paint job!
DD40AX had 6600 HP (from 2 16 cylinder 645's) through 2 eight axle trucks.
The primary reason for the extra 2000 HP via the batteries is to enable the locomotive to operate at a lower throttle setting, thus saving fuel. Although the locomotive could, I imagine, put out 6400 HP for a short burst, the existing 6000 HP units have a reputation for being slippery. Also it is important to note that for slower speed drag service (Coal trains) the extra 1500-2000 HP is wasted.......................................
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
BNSF_GP60M wrote: mj5890 wrote: I really hope these engines become real, I really cant wait to see what GE's EVO pasenger unit will look like.I was reading a GE fact sheet about their new hybridhttp://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=030820071036@/site/downloads/hybr/Hybrid_onepager_en.pdfand on the 2nd page it said it would allow operators to draw an additional 2000 horsepower, so I may be totaly stupid for thinking this but dose that mean that if you add the 2000 extra horse power from the batteries and the 4400 from the regular horsepower that this locomotive could have 6400 horse power Still wouldn't be as powerful as the DDA40X. And it would be nice to see the GEVO passenger unit.
mj5890 wrote: I really hope these engines become real, I really cant wait to see what GE's EVO pasenger unit will look like.I was reading a GE fact sheet about their new hybridhttp://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=030820071036@/site/downloads/hybr/Hybrid_onepager_en.pdfand on the 2nd page it said it would allow operators to draw an additional 2000 horsepower, so I may be totaly stupid for thinking this but dose that mean that if you add the 2000 extra horse power from the batteries and the 4400 from the regular horsepower that this locomotive could have 6400 horse power
I really hope these engines become real, I really cant wait to see what GE's EVO pasenger unit will look like.
I was reading a GE fact sheet about their new hybrid
http://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=030820071036@/site/downloads/hybr/Hybrid_onepager_en.pdf
and on the 2nd page it said it would allow operators to draw an additional 2000 horsepower, so I may be totaly stupid for thinking this but dose that mean that if you add the 2000 extra horse power from the batteries and the 4400 from the regular horsepower that this locomotive could have 6400 horse power
Still wouldn't be as powerful as the DDA40X. And it would be nice to see the GEVO passenger unit.
How much horse power did the DD40X's or DDA40X's have???
Also Iam I right that it could have 6400 horse power when drawing power from the batteries??
as far as ge releasing a prototype hybrid locomotives this i do not know,but thier website at
www.getransportation.com gives information on hybrid locomotives for frieght as well as passenger locomotives.
If I recall correctly, Railpower was using lead acid batteries in their Green Goats. Lead acid batteries have two main advantages (cheap and lotsa infrastructure for recycling), and a lot of disadvantages (sensitive to overcharging, don't like to be cycled too deeply or too often, the liquid electrolyte can be messy, power and energy density leaves something to be desired).
My understanding is that GE intends to use Lithium batteries (presumably not the fire-prone Li-ion) for better power and energy density. I've heard claims that some Li batteries can go through 1,000 charge/discharge cycles with only a small drop in capacity (compared to maybe 200 for a deep cycle lead acid battery). An Li battery 'pack' will require attention to charging conditions.
What I'd really like to see is a hybrid commuter locomotive - use the battery to give the loco the advantages of a straight electric (i.e. lots of short term acceleration power) and increase fuel efficiency by recycling some of the braking energy.
Railpower's problems with the batteries in the Green Goats leads me to wonder if GE has been aware of these problems and has come up with some viable solutions. Railpower has changed its marketing orientation to gensets, with the Green Goat aimed at more specialized situations.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
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