Friday, January 10, 2020

Because It's Friday

Big Boy in the snow:

2 comments:

  1. The only thing lacking is a real caboose.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alas:
    In the last 30 years of US steam (1930-1960), the typical steam locomotive had a thermal efficiency of about six percent, meaning that for every 100 BTU's of coal burned, six BTU's of horsepower were produced. A modern AC traction diesel is almost 36 percent thermally efficient at the drawbar, by comparison.

    Interesting web page here that tells what each car in the BB train string is, does and its history.
    http://www.trainweb.org/outsidetherails/BigBoyChicago2019/
    One tidbit:

    Steam locomotives had supplied passenger cars with the steam needed for heat and hot water, but after diesel locomotives were phased in, steam generators were required. They were placed in baggage cars at the front of trains. Locomotive auxiliary generators provided 32-volts of electrical power for the passenger cars that could be “stored” for short periods of time in batteries underneath each car. As Union Pacific’s passenger equipment was modernized and the need for electric power grew, steam generator cars were rebuilt into diesel-electric generator cars that provide electricity to the entire train. Each passenger car is connected to the power car using a series of “jumper cables” between each car. Some of Union Pacific’s passenger cars are equipped with their own electric generators, allowing them to operate without a power car. Power cars also have living quarters for an electrician who monitors the system, and additional refrigerators and freezers for commissary services.

    ReplyDelete

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