…Can’t comment on any outstanding potential records of Stanley Steamers but have read many times of special Stanley built vehicles trying for some speed records at I believe it was Orman Beach, Fl…The events ran early in the 20th century and believe the speed was somewhere around 127 mph. Restored Stanley cars I’ve seen run several years ago…{in Florida}, were so quiet you could not hear them sneaking up on you if were not watching them approach. Saw them in Mt. Dora, Fl.
Here’s something I’ve always wondered: What about Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in modern steamers? I mean our home water heaters, furnaces, fireplaces and many industrial boilers work on CNG why not engines?
Cheers!
~METRO
It’s all about infrastructure and finances, One man can fuel and check a diesel, and then run it. Similarly, one guy could refuel [a coal slurry fuel], maybe, check the water and lub; then maybe, one or two crewmen could make it run, and haul a train over the line. Then when the thing breaks or needs service, ya’ gotta have that infrastructure and the attendent crafts to provide the labor and fixes.
Diesel wins this one.
But it sure is interesting to examine the ‘what if’s’ of new potential types of motive power.