Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Gas turbine locomotives.

This is topic Gas turbine locomotives. in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=006693

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 06-05-2012, 08:43 AM:

We've only ever had a few prototype ones here in the UK. The Great Western Railway ordered a couple which I don't think were delivered until after nationalisation, in 1948. They were quite different, 18000 had a single large combustion chamber, and burned heavy fuel oil after starting on light oil. 18100 burned light oil in something more like an aircraft engine. Both had electric transmission. The shell of 18000 still exists, the locomotive was returned to its makers, where the power plant was removed, and it was used for research purposes, it eventually returned to the UK, where it is now a static exhibit. 18100 was converted into a 25 kV ac electric locomotive, and eventually scrapped.

However, this was not the end of the story. Due to the high cost of imported oil a coal fired one was partly built. The power plant was built and run on test a few times but was not a success, and the locomotive was never completed.

They still didn't give up, the next attempt was GT3, a single ended design which looked rather like a streamlined steam locomotive. This actually had mechanical transmission. It ran on test for a while, but was too expensive to operate, and was eventually scrapped.

Somebody has built a 5" scale model of GT3, with an actual gas turbine power plant in it. I must find out where they're exhibiting it this year, and make a trip to see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bxwcLX9yLE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e_cvscqGHI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjkcTsLdw6M&NR=1&feature=fvwp

The first two clips show it demonstrated on rollers at two model engineering shows, and the third shows it actually moving.

We also had the APT (E), Advanced Passenger Train (Experimental),which was never intended to carry passengers. This still exists, as a static exhibit.

Posted by Geoff Newitt (Member # 6663) on 06-07-2012, 05:08 PM:

The last couple of times I've taken the train to London, 18000 has been parked outside at Didcot Railway Centre - I'm sure that won't do it any good...

Without any power plant installed it's out of gauge - it arrived at Didcot by road.

I went to the Railfest event at the National Railway Museum in York last weekend - by charter... Deltic power there and back, and about half the price of a Cross Country ticket (and no nasty Voyager either!).

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 06-07-2012, 06:18 PM:

Canada tried a Turbo train, debuting in 1968. It hit a truck on it's maiden trip. It was supposed to be a fast way between Toronto and Montreal, but travelers tended to arrive very late, having made most of the trip by bus as the thing broke down regularly. After service was suspended in the winter (early 1969) as the trains were plagued with frozen brakes and other issues, they were revamped and returned in 1973 and served relatively reliably until 1982.

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 06-28-2012, 01:59 PM:

Union Pacific tried them out in the US, but it actually pulled a full size tanker after the engine for fuel--no joke. Kinda expensive, like the Queen Mary 2 which now only operates its diesels except for special circumstances given the cost of marine gas oil.