This is very interesting and creative. I’d love to see someone model this! Watch to the end to see where the heat source to boil the water comes from.
…Only in Asia…!
A little Formula 1 technology applied to a century-old tram loco. I love it!
Incidentally, the power to generate steam probably comes from charcoal bricquettes. The bow pole is needed to activate signals (rather like the Pacific Electric diesel switchers with trolley poles.)
Chuck
Talk about keeping the citizens employed. A three man crew for two small transit cars.
Tom
From what I can tell there is nowhere to keep fuel on that engine. There is also no smoke from the smokestack. I was under the impression that the boiler had an electric heating element in it.
The loco uses a diesel engine.
Take another look. There is an occasional wisp of dark smoke from the stack.
On a short-range tram tank loco like this, the fuel is usually kept in a little box alongside the firebox on the fireman’s side - capacity about two buckets.
Chuck
OH, for heaven’s sake. [:O]
Bruce
Commentary says it’s a diesel engine using water vapor to simulate the steam. It’s not a steam engine.
…I did witness some “smoke” emanating from the stack at the place in the video when the little engine / train is going away from the camera and traveling around the right hand curve.
If it’s a steam engine, why don’t we see some steam blowing out of the cylinder area when it is moving…?
Is the overhead current pick up a means of electrically heating water if it in fact is a steam engine…? Lots of questions.
But that “turntable” is something else…
I think we need somebody fluent with the ability to read the notes [sub-titles?] on the screen–
My guess is it is Japanese(?) I magine something like the Flagg Coal Engine with that kind of built-in turntable![:-,]
非常にありがとう
, Hijō ni arigatō
I did note some steam coming from the cylinder area before it was in motion. The “valve gear” appears to be a modified stephenson or joy operating poppet vlaves. The pantograph is probably to activate signals to indicate track occupancy much like the old D&H and Pennsy did in electrified territory when the line side induction system was out. Of course everything is speculation when it comes to the complex oriental mind!
Take a close look at most ballast regulators and certain tamper/curve liners. (Canron/Fairmont Mk 1 - Mk 3 for instance)…the turntables are not that unusual if you can balance the machine.
And all while wearing white gloves!
Again, the engine is a diesel internal combustion engine, using a steam generator to create visual steam for the tourists. The pantograph is only used to activate the switches and wayside equipment, not for traction power. It’s all noted in the comments section–I suggest you read them because they’re interesting.