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The Controversy of AT&SF Locomotive #3463

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The Coalition For Sustainable Rail makes this technical statement:  <o:p></o:p> The majority of intercity passenger rail in the U.S. operate over tracks with the capacity for "higher speeds" of 110-125 mph.  <o:p></o:p> However, in the absence of modern steam engines capable of reaching those speeds quickly, passenger rail providers are forced to rely on diesel-electric passenger locomotives, which develop maximum horsepower at low speed. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Combined with inefficiencies of traction motors encountered at high revolution, these diesel trains exhibit sluggish acceleration above 25 miles per hour, hampering their ability to reach full potential at 110 or 125 mph.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> By comparison, the modern steam locomotive develops and maintains maximum horsepower above 40 mph, enabling higher speed acceleration than alternatives available today. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Initial computer simulations suggest that the CSR's modern steam engine will significantly out-accelerate a modern diesel-electric locomotive to 110 mph, meaning that passenger operators would be able to realize electric-like acceleration at or below the cost of the diesel-electrics they currently use.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> That statement undermines my confidence in their engineering expertise.  <o:p></o:p> It is true what they say about a steam locomotive developing maximum horsepower above 40 mph.  However, it is untrue that diesels develop maximum horsepower at low speed.  They develop maximum horsepower at any speed.   <o:p></o:p> Therefore in comparing steam to diesel, it is the steam locomotive that suffers a deficiency in developing its horsepower because it cannot develop full horsepower at lower speeds.   <o:p></o:p> Steam locomotives develop their maximum horsepower at higher speeds.  <o:p></o:p> Therefore, if a steam locomotive and a diesel locomotive of the same horsepower were each accelerating the same trainload from zero to 110 mph, the diesel would achieve that speed first.  <o:p></o:p> This is because the steamer will not be able to develop its full horsepower until it reaches the higher range of speeds, whereas the diesel will develop full horsepower over the full range of 0-110 mph.
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