California
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2004
- Messages
- 14,782
- Location
- An hour north of San Francisco
- Tractor
- Yanmar YM240 Yanmar YM186D
I've read the diesels that accompany these exhibition trains aren't needed for horsepower.Read about one of the steam trains touring the country... it might have been the bicentennial?
Once the logistics of water was addressed the next was adding modern locomotives for generation and/or assist.
Thing is the steam locomotive surprised many by not needing any assist... steam just that powerful and the weight optimizes traction...
The helper diesels are needed for modern requirements re signalling, electricity generation that matches passenger cars behind, (there are several 'standards') and most important, engine braking and reliable air for train braking.