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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by klahm I don't see evidence that, in today's world, steam would necessarily be a superior technology. Yet it seems that some commenters impute that argument to Michael's posts. A theoretical potential for steam propulsion efficiency is advanced, with reference to the electric power generating industry, but no evidence of successful transfer to even a prototype railroad locomotive is cited. A comparison not raised is to marine propulsion. Steam was replaced by diesel in marine service, over a longer period of time. Marine service doesn't involve the complications of fuel and water replenishment inherent in railroad service, yet steam is not used as the motive power in modern ships. [/quote] Try to look at it this way: When we're talking about steam vs diesel today, we're really talking about coal vs oil. The price differential between coal and oil has only widened these last few years, while rail and marine propulsion applications are well grounded in diesel technology. If the price differential continues to widen, there certainly comes a point where even "classic" steam propulsion will be cheaper to operate than diesel electric. We may even be at that point now. The thing is, as that price differential widens (or at least stays wide), the prefered method of utilizing coal may be more cost effective via coal liquefication, which makes it compatible to the current compression ignition and tank storage/pipeline delivery infrastructure. On the other hand, synthetic coal processes that remove most of the moisture, ash, and metals from raw coal would make it ideal for classic steam technology, and there is no reason to believe a technically advanced steam propulsion system wouldn't be the most cost effective way of utilizing this synthetic coal as the prefered fuelstock. If it's the latter, it will more likely come in the maritime applications before it's adapted by railroads.
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