Just in from Yahoo News: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021015/ap_on_bi_ge/high_speed_rail_1
Thanks for posting that Barb! Bombardier has been working on this project since around 1990 with funds from the US and the FRA. Supposedly, this engine will run about 180 mph on conventional track (Yeah right, they can't even get regular trains to stay on the tracks at low speed-LOL) They had a picture of it in one of the Railpace magazines and it actually looks like a conventional Acela train with the exception of different exhaust locations. My only question is, how much fuel is this puppy going to burn? It can't be more fuel efficient than the current electric powered trainsets. Oh well, this just goes to show you that the more our technology advances, the less efficient it is. Russ
An interesting article. Will be worth following to see if they can make it go. If my memory is correct, didn't the NYCRR experiment with this idea back about the mid-1960's? A jet motor on top of an RDC car body or some such? Boxcab E50
Yep NYC had a jet powered RDC. As in, jet pack on top, like the Rocketeer. But this thing isn't like that. This uses a jet engine *inside* to run a turbine. This generates electricity for axle mounted traction motors, SOP. On the NYC RDC the open thrust propelled the car. It's kind of a cool locomotive, much more exciting to me than an overhead wired Acela, as 99% of the US is non electric. But I wish it had been a variant on the HHP8, with the dual end, instead of a single ended unit, requiring turning.
I assume it is intended for passenger service in non-electric territories. If so, it would be very cost-competitive compared to an electric loco when you consider the cost of electrifying passenger lines outside of the NEC. What did it cost to electrify the segment between New Haven and Boston? What would be interesting to know is how it compares to the GE Genesis and the Rohr Turboliner in terms of tractive effort, acceleration, top speed, fuel efficiency, etc.
