Have fun with your trains
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc I have been non-PC all my life, I don't plan on changin now. I have sensitivity for those who do not know and ask a question, I have none for those who are clueless and post absurd and completely incorrect information. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity.
QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz How about a solar-powered electric locomotive? There could be an array of photo-voltaic cells all across the top of the locomotives, as well as numerous solar collectors along the right-of-way feeding the power directly into overhead wires. There could also be a connection to the main power grid to be used on cloudy days, and when the trains are not using the power, or if there is an excess of power in the system, the solar power could be sold back to the utility companies.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Hugh Jampton QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz How about a solar-powered electric locomotive? There could be an array of photo-voltaic cells all across the top of the locomotives, as well as numerous solar collectors along the right-of-way feeding the power directly into overhead wires. There could also be a connection to the main power grid to be used on cloudy days, and when the trains are not using the power, or if there is an excess of power in the system, the solar power could be sold back to the utility companies. OK,, lets throw some numbers at this and see what happens. The amount of solar energy reaching the Earth's surface is roughly 1 horsepower per square yard (it varies quite a bit over the latitudes covered byu the US, but that's an easy average to work with) Solar panals are around 10-15% efficient (a 1 square yard panel receiving 1HP of sunlight will produce 1/10th HP of useable electricity) A modern loco is around 4000 HP, so doing the math means that 40,000 square yards of collecting area are required for each loco you intend to run. That's 7.5 football fields.
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