World's First All-Electric Locomotive Has Over 1,000 Batteries, Runs 24 Hours On a Si

Oddly enough, this thread has very little to do with battery powered locomotives. Let's try to stay on topic please. If you've exhausted the topic...move on.

Staying on topic, the Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee (North Shore Line) had 2 battery operated locomotives, 455 and 455, both over 65 ton steeple cabs that operated between 1923 and 1963.

They were used on sidings where is would have bee too expensive to hang wire.

Boco

In the UK it was not uncommon to have compressed air shunters in industrial areas where there could be a fire danger from coal powered shunters. I think the London underground had some battery powered locos for maintenance work so they could turn the power off but still run maintenance trains.

Both are a bit specialised though. I think the problem in the US is the sheer distance involved. Perhaps a high speed network that run freight overnight might work or even if you are putting in the power anyway two pairs of tracks one for the high speed trains and a second set along side for freight. I'm certain there should be some economies somewhere in doing this. I maybe assuming double track though on both.

Cheerio John

[off topic mode]

JRT said:

We all are stile friends here....I might say its not me. I say USA is the best in freedom, what does pommie say,"*****".

pommie, I feel vary sorry for you...you have my pity.

JRT

Click to expand...

you can keep it mate, with the "USA is the best in everything" attitude that you have you really need it.
[/off topic mode]

I think that the Union Pacific have the right idea, within current technology, with diesel/battery hybrids, instead of using a 3000hp diesel you could use a 1500hp diesel, the diesel charges the batteries, and the batteries drive the 3000hp traction motors, when needing under 1500hp then the batteries are recharged, this will also increase the life of the diesel as it would be reving at a constant rate unless the batteries are fully charged.

There are a lot of mountainous areas where this would be impracticable, but there are also flat area's where you could get away with only a 1000hp diesel.

Cheers David