How to "Modernize" a steam engine?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I was kind of curious about this. Since my first layout will run EVERYTHING, from diesel, to steam, to turbine…I began to ponder…What could you do to a steam engine to make it look more modern? I’m just looking for ideas on how to maybe alter the appearance of a steamer to make it fit more with modern times? No rules…anything goes…Ideas please.[:D]

Yep, another off-the-wall, and totally devoted to freelancing topic brought to you by the one and only TRAINFREAK409![8D]

2

For one thing it could have Brighter colors( Reds, Bright Greens or Yellow!! Streamllining is definetly in order. Smooth driver wheels!!! Operating on Natural Gas or a Hydrogen fuel cell (like GM’s new chassie)!!! You said no rules, anything goes!!

3

I think it is in more in line with the current direction of fuel research if you have it run on hydrogen. I think automakers are researching this for cars. Hey, if it can catch fire and BA-WHOOO***here goes the Hindenburg, I’m sure it can fire a locomotive boiler.

Another idea would be to copy other modern power: nuclear. All a nuke plant does is use a nuclear reaction to heat water, thereby producing steam.

wow, a locomotive with a reactor core in the tender. I bet the Eco-friendly folks would have a conniption. [:D]

Ray out

4

Hmmm…natural gas…I never thought about that…That would be awesome!

The only real alternate source of power I was thinking of was electricity. Have electric water heaters for the boiler, special batteries in the tender, generators on each axle, and a pantograph or two…In theory it would work.[;)][8D][:D][:p]

5

I’d start with turning it into an oil burner if it’s not already. add a radio antena on top of the cab, and replace the oil burning (if it’s got one) headlight with an electric one. you should be in business.

6

That’s old technology. The Swiss did that during WWII when they had trouble getting coal.

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/swisselec/swisselc.htm

Andre

7

Actually, an electric could be self contained by following the current practice of the hybrid automobiles. The batteries recharge when the brakes are applied. You could even have it hydrogen powered beyond a certain speed, like say 70mph, I don’t know. The hydrogen gas could pass through something designed like a turbocharger and that would spin a shaft that was connected to an alternator or generator, and that could recharge the batteries. Or they could be charged by solar panels built into the tops of all the cars and the whole thing could then be all electric. Or maybe you could come up with something involving magnets. Now theres a cheap power source!

Shrouding is obviously called for, buy why does the boiler have to be cylendrical? It could be rectangular, bullet shaped, or even wedge shaped.

I don’t know.

It’s kind of fun to play with though.

What do you think?

8

Paint it the newer version of the company. If it was Santa Fe PAint it the new BNSF color and decal it Santa fe or BNSF, If it is UP paint it yellow and grey and decal it up with the US flag. That would look so Hot!, and etc. etc for other companies. Have fun

9

Streamlined deffinatly, Brighter colors are a check, I like the natural gas idea, and the self contained “hybrid” idea. Maybe air horns too instead of a whistle.

10

How about putting an “Operation Lifeasaver” decal on the tender?

11

Depends on your definition of “modern.”

12

Something that would almost fit in with today’s diesels and electrics.[8D]

13

You mean like this? http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=114112

Andre

14

http://www.trainweb.org/tusp/ult.html

Ace 3000 is one idea, plans were in Model Railroader

15

Yeah, I like the ACE3000, and I have that issue of MR, June 1982. A great idea, a definitely one way to modernize steam.[8D]

16

Since no full sized ones were ever built, would that make your model the prototype?

17

Well, someone has built one based off of MR’s plans. It was in the Trackside Photos section of the June 1985 Model Railroader. It was one good looking locomotive.

18

Okay,

  1. all valves solenoid operated with computerized controllers.
  2. All units Cab foreward.
  3. cabs Air Conditioned.
  4. Condensers like the last of the South African Steam trains.
    Head end power from steam turbines.
  5. colorful paint schemes
  6. radio and gps masts on the cab roofs too.

Silly isn’t it
Doug, in Utah.

19

SIlly? Not at all…Because you all know that sooner or later I am going to use this thread to modify some steamers in these ways to make my layout even more different than what it would normally be.[;)]

20

Drop a geep38 shell on a 2-8-2 mechanism and yer done

har