Comments on: The World’s First All-Electric Locomotive http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/ The Neat Side of the Web Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:21:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Padraig http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1868000 Padraig Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:46:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1868000 And it goes how fast? And it goes how fast?

]]> By: Spunky Monkey http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867854 Spunky Monkey Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:44:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867854 @ K!P You've pretty much hit the nail on the head there. When the overhead cables or third rail are out, you may need batteries. The battery powered electric loco was first used AFAIK on electric railways such as the London underground when the power to the third rail was off. When the power is out parts and machinery may need to be moved to repair the fault, so a loco is required that needs no external power source and you don't want steam or diesel power in an underground railway. I'm sure such locos have been used on underground railways in the US as well. On surface railways there seems to be very little point. I bet it takes a long time to recharge too. @ K!P

You’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head there. When the overhead cables or third rail are out, you may need batteries. The battery powered electric loco was first used AFAIK on electric railways such as the London underground when the power to the third rail was off. When the power is out parts and machinery may need to be moved to repair the fault, so a loco is required that needs no external power source and you don’t want steam or diesel power in an underground railway. I’m sure such locos have been used on underground railways in the US as well.

On surface railways there seems to be very little point.

I bet it takes a long time to recharge too.

]]> By: Marge http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867828 Marge Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:16:02 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867828 If the USA knew the meaning of investing in railways then this would be unnecessary - electrification being over a century old. Whenever I despair about the state of the railways in the UK I look at the USA and go "yeah, it could actually be worse...". If the USA knew the meaning of investing in railways then this would be unnecessary – electrification being over a century old.

Whenever I despair about the state of the railways in the UK I look at the USA and go “yeah, it could actually be worse…”.

]]> By: ted http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867788 ted Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867788 Alex, I have to call "shopped" on that picture of yours. Although it looks so real... Alex, I have to call “shopped” on that picture of yours. Although it looks so real…

]]> By: Sue Dunham http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867782 Sue Dunham Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:16:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867782 As an aside, all diesel train engins are, in fact, electric. The diesel powers an electric motor which powers the train. If it were like a diesel truck it would need about 200 gears. As an aside, all diesel train engins are, in fact, electric. The diesel powers an electric motor which powers the train. If it were like a diesel truck it would need about 200 gears.

]]> By: K!P http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867777 K!P Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:47:50 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867777 The only plus side i can think of is that you dont need overhead wires, Besides that nothing new. The only plus side i can think of is that you dont need overhead wires, Besides that nothing new.

]]> By: Alan http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867750 Alan Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:16:53 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867750 Most electric trains get their power via overhead guide-wires or from the tracks. That way the big power source can be at one location, easily transmitting power at the speed of light to the train, which only moves itself. But this battery train has to produce enough power to move itself PLUS enough power to move the big power source (that is, several tons of lead and acid). Looks like a step backwards, folks. A really bad idea. Most electric trains get their power via overhead guide-wires or from the tracks. That way the big power source can be at one location, easily transmitting power at the speed of light to the train, which only moves itself.
But this battery train has to produce enough power to move itself PLUS enough power to move the big power source (that is, several tons of lead and acid).

Looks like a step backwards, folks. A really bad idea.

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867732 Alex Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:29:12 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867732 This'll explain it: <img src="http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images/2009-10/train-battery.jpg" width="500" height="282"> This’ll explain it:

]]> By: whitcwa http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867727 whitcwa Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:27:02 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867727 "The recovered dynamic braking energy continually replenishes the energy storage system, and uses this recovered energy for tractive effort in rail operation" I guess that means it is always braking and efforting at the same time. “The recovered dynamic braking energy continually replenishes the energy storage system, and uses this recovered energy for tractive effort in rail operation”

I guess that means it is always braking and efforting at the same time.

]]> By: Juice http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867714 Juice Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:35:54 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867714 So basically, it still runs on coal. So basically, it still runs on coal.

]]> By: angstrom http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867712 angstrom Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:19:24 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867712 yep, this story really baffles me yep, this story really baffles me

]]> By: Negerpelle http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867703 Negerpelle Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:02:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867703 As usual you guys mean USA when you say "the world" Wait a second...OMGNOES!!!! I just realised there is actually intellegent life outside the world!! We are doooomed!! :( Whats more? They have been running "all-electric" powered locomotives for about 100 years now and they recognize that the significance about this particular locomotive is that it is battery powered. Nothing more, nothing less. As usual you guys mean USA when you say “the world” Wait a second…OMGNOES!!!! I just realised there is actually intellegent life outside the world!! We are doooomed!! :(

Whats more? They have been running “all-electric” powered locomotives for about 100 years now and they recognize that the significance about this particular locomotive is that it is battery powered. Nothing more, nothing less.

]]> By: Spunky Monkey http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/comment-page-1/#comment-1867661 Spunky Monkey Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:32:47 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/10/08/the-worlds-first-all-electric-locomotive/#comment-1867661 Errm. Just a small point, but battery locos have been around for about a century. Errm. Just a small point, but battery locos have been around for about a century.

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