So, 69.9 imperial MPG is 58.2 US MPG. Still better than a Prius but its also still a parallel hybrid.

"Fly me to the moon"


or... just shoot it off into the sun

It just ocurred to me that train engines operate kind of like this, don't they? I think I read somewhere that locomotives actually are propelled by electric motors and the diesel engine powers a generator that runs the DC motors. Does anybody know if this is the case? It doesn't sound as though it would be efficient, but what do I know?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

That is called a series hybrid, no physical link between the engine and wheels. The Prius and the VW hybrid are parallel hybrids, the engine is mechanically linked to the wheels through a transmission.

A parallel hybrid would be extremely efficient. The Diesel engine is most efficient at a stable speeds, like generators, which is what happens in series hybrids. What kicks me is the technology to do it in cars has been around for 50 years in locomotives, WHY can't anyone produce one? GM's Chevy Volt is a series hybrid and it wont be out for a few years at the least.

One might imagine the size of the drivetrain required to put 3000 hp to the wheels...and there would probably be pretty big losses. At full load, electric motors are very efficient. I won't speculate as to which system is more efficient...but I can say it'd be far easier to repair the diesel-electric hybrid.

Interesting read:

http://travel.howstuffworks.com/diesel-locomotive.htm

__________________
1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

Yes, that is amazing. I always assumed that locomotives would be about as efficient as they could possibly be just because of the economics of the shipping industry.

So, you're saying the Volt is a series hybrid?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

What if the rocket crashes near Davenport, FL?

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Yes that is the case. Most of the ferries in this state as well.

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Yes.

Diesel locomotives are highly optimized. They have many, many onboard computers to monitor just about everything. The economics dictates this. They squeeze every bit of reliability and economy out of those engines.

What I'd like to see is somebody with a robust design for a continuously variable transmission stick that to a small, efficient diesel engine. With a fast acting computer, you could have optimum acceleration when you want it, and optimum efficiency when you're cruising...

__________________
1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

I always used to wonder why GE was in the locomotive manufacturing business until I discovered that they use electric motors. I guess it's not that different than when submarines were diesel-powered.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Locomotives use essentially the same system as diesel submarines...except that they add batteries to the mix to be able to run without the engines for a while.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Does anybody still use diesel subs anymore? I saw Das Boot and thougth to myself, "What a hard life thouse guys led!" Even when things were running along fine, it must have been brutal living on one of those.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Yes several countries still use them....they still remain the most quiet sub for stealth operations, the nuclear ones aren't as quiet and are a lot bigger.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Not so. The Germans(go figure) have developed the most advanced and silent subs in the world. They operate on fuel cells