As most of U Diesel guys know, it won’t be Diesels for the most part in 5 or so years. It will be natural gas, has anyone looked into modeling the new tenders.
Some are being built at Baytown Tx.
Cat has a contract working, converting the EMDs I guess is what I read.
Just a thought to U future Gas electric guys.
Are you sure it’s not a fad?
The Burlington Northern did a couple of experiments with LPG locomotives in the mid 80’s. They also experimented with fuel tenders for regular locomotives. Both projects didn’t last too long, nor were the benefits outweighed the costs for BN. In other words its nothing new…
Uncle Pete also tried it with one of the GTEL’s. A 5000hp unit I believe. Though successful (Burnt absolutely clean and no turbine blade wear) it was deemed unsafe for over the road application in case of an accident.
Grant Kerr said:
Uncle Pete also tried it with one of the GTEL’s. A 5000hp unit I believe. Though successful (Burnt absolutely clean and no turbine blade wear) it was deemed unsafe for over the road application in case of an accident.
Yeah, the thought of an LPG tank car strung inbetween two dismals getting accordianed in a crash and exploding probably wont sit well with crews either.
It’s a bit hard to beat kerosene in energy content per pound, unless you’re talking about fusion or fission.
Look up GE and CAT, U will see that Buffett RR, Etc. Have got them jumping.
- 2.10 or so a equiv. Gal for LNG vs around 4. For Desel. That’s not pocket change.
Not to mention, pollution, & engine life.
The comuter lines out of DC will run on captured hot air.
Burlington Northern used these as fuel tenders in the 1980s on long hauls, but ended the practice when they got more fuel depots built.
John Caughey said:
Are you sure it’s not a fad?
Yea, Smokey tells me that them cantankerous, newfangled locomotives won’t last. All that unproven technology will just fail when you need it the most.
Diesel-lectric, who ever heard of such a thing anyway? 
John Caughey said:
Are you sure it’s not a fad?
I still see Slim Pickens riding the Bomb…
Yee Haw!
Burlington Northern did a test of this idea, a few years ago, and gave up on it. The “Tenders” went to either CN, or CP, who may still be testing. The idea has its problems. It’s not quite as simple as just hooking up to a Propane tank, like the majority of railroad hobbyists might be thinking. At this point in time, the costs can’t be justified on most major railroad systems.
Here’s a link to a local newspaper carrying a story about about the CNG powered locomotives.
Happy Rails!
Dave
I see this in the same light as the event about 10 years ago, when natural gas was so CHEAP. My local power company paid the bucks, put in a gas line, and built a new power plant (to replace the coal fired one), only to have the gas companies triple the price of NG when they were ready to put it online. Now they only use it for peak demands in summer and winter. They will not rely on NG as a CHEAP fuel source.