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[Anonymous]

What kind of locomotive do you think is the most efficent?

[Anonymous]

The theoretical maximum effieciency for a steam locomotive is %21 compared with the Diesel Engines 30 or more percent. Although I still love Steam alot more than Diesel.

[jabrown1971]

The one that suits the job best

[Anonymous]

I'm not one to formulate an opinion, but from my limited knowledge of trains, electrics are the most efficient, in terms of energy consumption/pollution, but have very high initial costs, and are fairly expensive to maintain (i.e. electric power lines cost and maintenance). I think electrics don't have good low end power either, so diesels are more common.

[ndbprr]

Energy efficient, time efficient, tonnage efficient, maintenance efficient, relaibility efficient, ease of use efficient or cost efficient? By the way Electricity is the least efficient form of power since the conversion of fuel to steam has losses, steam rotation of turbines has losses, turbine to generator has losses and distribution of electricity has losses making the electric power hands down the most expensive form of power available. Now once it reaches the locomotive that changes.

[Morgan49]

the 30 percent effieciency is only true of the steam built up till the 1950's . Currently their is a 2-10-0 in Germany that ocasionally runs on special runs of the orient express that can reach 60 -70 percent effieciency. for more info check out this web site.
http://www.trainweb.org/tusp/
this said if you account for all the variables (maintanance , fuel cost, ect....) It would probably be the diesel though that could always change.

[GP40-2]

70% efficient! Yea, right!

Maybe on Fantasy Island but not in the real world.

Why do so many posters on this forum come up with B.S. that defies the laws of physics and thermodynamics????

I guess the American education system dosen't teach physics, chemistry and math anymore.

And where did you get that 30% efficiency for steam "built in the 1950's" ???? Steam locomotives in the 50's were lucky to be 4% efficient. And that was on a good day.

[underworld]

How about a solar loco????? [:p]

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[ns_gp60]

I think Electric is more efficent for speed and not having to refuel,but when the power goes out or somthing like that your stranded. I think they need to make Hybrid locomotive. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

It seems pretty obvious that Diesel power is the most efficient, based on what we have running today.
The costs of Steam vs. Diesel have been well documented over the years. Labor alone was one major reason the railroads converted.
Turbines supposedly use as much fuel idling as they do wide open.
The initial cost of a major electrification project has been a problem too. Major mainline electrification operations outside the NEC, like Virginian, GN, Milwaukee , and the PRR to Harrisburg all were handed over to Diesels, rather then continue maintaining them.
Jimmy

[Anonymous]

I think that Diesels are more efficent, though alot louder, because tit's territory is not limited by caternary lines. Its like having a gas stove when the powers goes out you can still cook.

[ValorStorm]

QUOTE: Originally posted by geeps

I think they need to make Hybrid locomotive. What do you think?

I think Diesel-Electric is the definition of hybrid...

[Anonymous]

The most effcient steamers built for passenger service

J-class, S1b Niagra, FEF-Northern

The most effcient steamers built for fast freight

N&W A-class, NKP Berkshire, you decide the other

The most effcient steamers built for heavy/mannifest freight

N&W Y6b, DM&IR Yellowstones, UP Big Boys,  and maybe the C&O H8, although its tonnage rating was not much higher than a T1 2-10-4 or H7 2-8-8-2 despite being 100 tons heavier

 Note: The N&W's big three were each part of the three categories of effiiciency, a credit to a railroad who built its own locomotives and had its own ideas about efficiency and designing locomotives for specific tasks, not just 'generic' tasks.  

 

 

 

 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The N&W Y-6b had a maximum thermal efficiency of 7%.  It would be interesting to ascertain the thermal efficiency of D&H 1403, the only triple-expansion locomotive built, and that of the various French high-speed compounds.

Diesel-electrics are not hybrids, an electric motor drive is the only method practicable at those horsepower ranges.  Large open-pit mining equipment is also diesel-electric, straight mechanical drives won't work.  Imagine how many clutches would be burned out over the course of a day.

[Trainmaster.Curt]

Well, if you were goin by Diesel loco's, i would say the GP7's and 9's are the most efficient, they've been around since 1953-59, and are still kickin on CN and CP and the CEMR's prime power is their 4 GP9rm's. For modern i would go for the GE GEVO's ES44AC (CPR) and the ES44DC (CNR) and the SD70ace and M-2.