Did you know that there was a V-8 Steam engine [?] [:0]
Check out the story
“Verrr…rry IN…TER…resting”
Looks like the other 4 cylinders are on the other 2 axles… I doubt if this machine would ever run properly since it takes a whole lote of tempering to get all 8 cylinders matching in power. I guess it would have a big problem with steamconsumption since 8 cylinders and 8 pipes loose 8 times as much heat as 2 big cylinders…
But the machine looks incredible!
That is a trick set up. With modern technology ,variable valve train geometries ,timing ,lift, this thing could be very efficient and powerful. Ok now lets all pool our money together and build it. Who’s up for it?
This could cause many engine crews to shout in unison,Wow! I coulda’ had a V8!
I’m in as long as i get it on the first weekend of each month[:D]
Now which company will make a scale model first… Lionel, MTH, or ? It would be a neat engine to have on the set!
Notice that the engines are located on the first and third axles on the left side and the second and fourth on the right. So they are all four independent. But each of them should be as smooth as an automotive V8: The cylinders are double-acting, like conventional steam-locomotive cylinders, giving each cylinder four times as many power strokes as an automobile engine’s.
Amazing. The end of the article says a Swiss firm is planing a model - I wonder what scale. I wonder what other experiments are out there.
Enjoy
paul
Very interesting! You’ve gotta love that streamlined styling, too! It really is a shame how it met it’s end, though. A technological experiment as unique as this should have been put in the Smithsonian instead of just being scrapped like yesterday’s garbage.
Check out this site: http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/locoloco.htm You’d be amazed at all the wierd, wild and wacky steam locomotives that people came up with!
odd looking locomotive. Looks like an old Marx or something. Always wonder when new coal experiments will be conducted.
BTW, in today’s news today, the entire Swiss rail line shut down b/c of power outage.
They had to bring out diesels.
Good site. Certainly were a lot unusual steam engines.
Thanks
Paul
David, I just don’t see the appeal of electrics. Metra’s lines out of Chicago are like the outstretched fingers of a hand - the diesel powered lines at the top of the hand run by BNSF and UP rarely have motive problems (the MP36s haved had problems with fine snow - kind of like GG1s, forcing the few F40Cs left out of retirement but that’s another story). The former IC Electric lines and the South Shore and South Bend have had immense line-closing problems with cantenary and power outages. This past winter, weather and derailments closed both lines several times - with no alternatives for commuters …
The energy is cheaper; so, when the traffic is dense enough that the cost of power distribution can be allocated across enough trains, they are cheaper to operate. They can operate in tunnels without concern for the exhaust gasses. And they can provide very high peak power for short periods of time, as on grades and when accelerating.
So the infrastructure cost is set against its energy efficiency when running many trains. This makes sense. And I’ll bet they don’t keep up or rather keep up as best can with the catenary repairs and improvements. Of course, on the south side, it doesn’t help when a derailing freight tears down the towers…
Tom! Very interesting story ! Makes one wonder what else was developed and eventually got scrapped.