MOTORS FOR THE RAILS.

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 17, 19 July 1918, Page 11

MOTORS FOR THE RAILS.

The Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, U.S.A., has for some years been experimenting with internal combustion engines, as used on motor-cars, and recently effected consid&i-able improvements to suit them for railway work. While it is recognised that locomotives propelled by internal combustion engines, having regard to the relatively high cost of petrol and other motor fuels, are not to be recommended for all installations, yet they will be found of value in localities where water for steam-rais-ing purposes is scarce^ and where the cost of coal, or electricity would make either steam or locomotives an expensive, if not a prohibitive, investment. Engines for railway motors are therefore of special design. Where in the largest of these motors (23 tons weight) a, sixcylinder engine is . employed, in the standard sizes the motive power is supplied by a vertical water-cooled engine comprising four separate cylinders, the bore and stroke ranging from 4£in x s^in for 3^-ton motors to 6£in x Bin for the 9tonner. For engine-cooling purposes a large radiator with fan is fitted at the ftont of the machines. Ignition is by high-tension magneto, or by coil and accumulator} as desired, while the lubrication system is a combination of pressure feed ahd splash. In regard to fuel consumption, the makers state that, when running under normal or rated load, it works out at one-tehth of a gallon per horse-power'hour, and that for most requirements it may. bo estimated on a basis of an average development of half the rated horse-power throughout the working day.