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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by ironhorseman I've got another idea on how to operate steam engines. What are steam engines basically? Answer: Pressure cookers. All that steam is under pressure and that pressure moves the pistons (which in turn moves the connecting rods which in turn moves the wheels). What if instead of using a fuel heat water into steam could a steam engine be equipped instead with an air compressor? I saw this used on various models at a craft show. Model steam engines and other gizmos had their moving parts powered by compressed air. Could a giant air compressor be housed in a steam loco's tender? Could the generator be powered by gasoline or diesel? Could the hoses be rigged up to the engine pipes and pistons? Forget about it taking the thrill out a live steam engine for minute and forget about cost: could it actually, physically be done? If it does work, would it be safe? And then after that maybe consider what it would cost. [/quote] In the very early days of diesel locomotives that idea was tried. The builders tried mechanical transmissions, hydraulic transmissions, pneumatic transmissions as well as the electric transmissions that are used today. The electric transmissions proved much better with the hydraulic coming in second. The Russians also tried something entirely different. They had locomotives that had what looked like steam running gear, but the cylinders were actually dual acting diesel cylinders. The Russians also had locomotives that had two sets of cylinders driving the rods, one set was steam the other diesel.
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