Santa Fe 4-8-4 to serve as a test bed for new steam technology burning biocoal. http://www1.umn.edu/news/news-releases/2012/UR_CONTENT_389949.html
I see they mention where they've acquired the locomotive from, but I must have missed what is it's heritage- AT&SF #????
That's an easy call. A Santa Fe 4-6-4. Tell tales are the sanding dome and tender. I think they are pipe dreaming...if you get my drift.
Yes, it is 3463, an ATSF "Super Hudson" with 84 inch drivers. I hope it is going to be "rebuilt" vs. "destroyed" by whatever green technology they think they will use. For one thing I would like to know what biocoal is. It must be what the pols call clean coal. LOL. I know a couple of the players in this and frankly am surprised that they would be involved. I am a big fan of Hudsons and will be very upset if this one is ruined rather than restored. :crying:
??? An Atlantic is a 4-4-2. On that linked page shows: "When done, locomotive 3463 will share only the most fundamental resemblance to the engine it once was." Argh. I hope they don't hack this machine up too badly! It is a valuable piece of history. But college students of today may not even have a clue... :sad:
By fitz: http://www.4energyinvest.com/home.aspx?id=1000181&lg=en http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torrefaction Lots of info if you Google "bio-coal". If this is successful, we may see a repeat with diesel-electric locos of what the steamers went through!
I'm sure many railfans would be happy to see something passing in front of our cameras, with both a little sound and animation.
I would love to see this project succeed. But if this project does start looking like a success, I'm sure that GE, EMD, and the petroleum industry will be "donating" mega-bucks into the campaign chests of every Congressman/woman and Senator in an effort to develop blocking legislation, not to mention stalking every office of the EPA. From an engineering perspective, a two, or even three cylinder steam locomotive has hundreds fewer moving precision parts than a 16 cylinder diesel prime mover. Also consider the complexity and cost of all the electronics/computers needed to control a diesel/electric locomotive. On the other hand, a steamer only requires two experienced capable persons in the cab, and I offer retired New York Central Engineer/Fireman Maurice Lewmann as an outstanding example of a steam locomotive operator.
Well, I have mixed feelings about this. The 3463 is the only survivor of the six 84" drivered 3460 class Hudsons, and it's likely to get butchered into something very different before being destroyed. On the other hand, the 3463 "before" pictures are depressing, it was a rusting hulk, so the choice maybe a continuing slow deterioration into steam engine oblivion, or going out in a 130 mph flash. I must say if that's the choices, I'd prefer the latter... Regards, Otto K
Well, did we get it figured out? I think the bio-fuel they are referring to is cow poop. Heck, I don't know but I would like to see the 4-6-4 run again. I still think they are blowing smoke up the wrong stack. They'd do better to look into a bio-fueled turbine drive as in something like UP's experiment. Great locomotive and I'd rather see some Rail Historical Society take it over, restore it and run it. Wouldn't that be a treat? Question: Seems to me the fine folks of the Grand Canyon Railroad are experimenting with bio-fuel in the form of oil from french fryers. Wouldn't this be a good place to put in a few experiments and work with existing, restored...locomotives? Seems to me there would be green grants for this purpose that would benefit all involved.
Someone will likely complain as to how the Grand Canyon smells like a fast food restaurant. Or the poor coyotes are getting fat from the odors. Or some such silliness...
Not to mention how hard it would be to get the burnt residue off the rocks and trees (reference: my frypan)
