[b]Green Machine.[/b] Battery powered NS 999, classed BP4, goes to work for the first time in Rose Yard in Altoona. The unit was built using the frame of former NS GP38 2911, ex CR 7732, nee PC 7732. Scooter Hovanec photo
Be interesting to see how it works out for them.
That’s old hat…
That 999 has a very sharp livery. Maybe I will see, if it is a success, similar units passing by the Roanoke RailCam.
Your saying, this engine is totally battery powered? How do they recharge it?
Is it really ‘Green’? Somehow I doubt it. Every time energy changes form there are significant losses. This just moves the point of pollution from where the loco is to wherever the coal fired generating station is. About the ONLY place I can see it reducing total net pollution MIGHT be in yard service where a diseasel spends more time idling than working – Even then, we aren’t taking into account the environmental costs of mining and smelting the heavy metals required to make the batteries. – But since we can do that offshore and pollute the third world, it still LOOKS good on paper here.
IMO, that equals just another ‘feel’ good, actually ‘do’ nothing public image ploy
Mik said:
Is it really 'Green'? Somehow I doubt it. Every time energy changes form there are significant losses. This just moves the point of pollution from where the loco is to wherever the coal fired generating station is. About the ONLY place I can see it reducing total net pollution MIGHT be in yard service where a diseasel spends more time idling than working -- Even then, we aren't taking into account the environmental costs of mining and smelting the heavy metals required to make the batteries. -- But since we can do that offshore and pollute the third world, it still LOOKS good on paper here.IMO, that equals just another ‘feel’ good, actually ‘do’ nothing public image ploy
Shhhh… Don’t tell the Greenies that, you’ll ruin their day. I just think it’s neat that the big boys can run their stuff on a battery pack just like we do. :lol: Besides, the batteries were probably charged by burning “clean” coal, whatever that is…
Mik said:
Is it really 'Green'? Somehow I doubt it. Every time energy changes form there are significant losses. This just moves the point of pollution from where the loco is to wherever the coal fired generating station is. About the ONLY place I can see it reducing total net pollution MIGHT be in yard service where a diseasel spends more time idling than working -- Even then, we aren't taking into account the environmental costs of mining and smelting the heavy metals required to make the batteries. -- But since we can do that offshore and pollute the third world, it still LOOKS good on paper here.IMO, that equals just another ‘feel’ good, actually ‘do’ nothing public image ploy
Here Here. Yes if they’re going to go green I say use 500 seven foot Hamster wheels and use human power.
Why not just string up some catenary and just go electric?
“NS 999 is an entirely electric locomotive that uses a lead-acid energy storage system comprised of 1,080 12-volt batteries to operate in railroad switching applications without the use of a diesel engine and with zero exhaust emissions. The plug-in locomotive also can regenerate dynamic braking energy through a system provided by Brookville Equipment Company. The recovered dynamic braking energy continually replenishes the energy storage system, and uses this recovered energy for tractive effort in rail operations. The batteries are carefully monitored and controlled through an elaborate battery management system to assure safety and maximum battery life, and when fully charged NS 999 is able to operate three shifts before recharging is required.”
How many half, bent or all out fudged ‘truths’ can you count in this paragraph? Rule #1 of motion, there are no free lunches - inefficiencies of energy form change, toxicity of smelting lead to produce the batteries, Sulphuric acid isn’t very ‘clean’ either, gasses are given off during the charging of this type of battery, disposal of toxic ‘spent’ battery materials, plus the unmentioned fact that much of the electricity in the Altoona area is supplied by COAL FIRED power plants.
I’ve always said I like all trains.
I’ll have to amend that statement from now on.
I don’t like this locomotive. I have 1.3 million reasons why.
Ralph
Mik said:
"NS 999 is an entirely electric locomotive that uses a lead-acid energy storage system comprised of 1,080 12-volt batteries to operate in railroad switching applications without the use of a diesel engine and with zero exhaust emissions. The plug-in locomotive also can regenerate dynamic braking energy through a system provided by Brookville Equipment Company. The recovered dynamic braking energy continually replenishes the energy storage system, and uses this recovered energy for tractive effort in rail operations. The batteries are carefully monitored and controlled through an elaborate battery management system to assure safety and maximum battery life, and when fully charged NS 999 is able to operate three shifts before recharging is required."How many half, bent or all out fudged ‘truths’ can you count in this paragraph? Rule #1 of motion, there are no free lunches - inefficiencies of energy form change, toxicity of smelting lead to produce the batteries, Sulphuric acid isn’t very ‘clean’ either, gasses are given off during the charging of this type of battery, disposal of toxic ‘spent’ battery materials, plus the unmentioned fact that much of the electricity in the Altoona area is supplied by COAL FIRED power plants.
And your electricity is cleanly supplied while you type this over the internet???
No, but I don’t claim to be ‘zero emissions’, either - in fact, I et baked beans for lunch 
Mik said:Now read it again
"NS 999 is an entirely electric locomotive that uses a lead-acid energy storage system comprised of 1,080 12-volt batteries to operate in railroad switching applications without the use of a diesel engine and with zero exhaust emissions.
Edit for page 2 and I love baked beans!
Mik said:
(http://www.nscorp.com/footprints/images/home-type.gif)
You were saying?
That I knew this already??? 
Dave Marconi said:What do you do with all the poop?
Here Here. Yes if they're going to go green I say use 500 seven foot Hamster wheels and use human power. :)
Read about a poop powered car in England. They generate methane to run the car. Takes the waste from 70 houses to run the car 40 miles a day.
Going green ain’t easy!
Yes Tom but with 500 humans plus relief staff on board there would be plenty of methane around