DIESEL ELECTRIC TRAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18192, 13 September 1933, Page 3

DIESEL ELECTRIC TRAIN

ADVANTAGES OVER STEAM EXPERIENCES IN DENMARK Tlio remarkable progress made recently overseas in Diesel-electric locomotives and rail-cars, and the advantages of this type of rail traction over steam locomotives, were revealed by prominent authorities at the World l’ovver Conference, held in Scandinavia in July. The results achieved since 1927 with Dieselelectric locomotives and rail-cars on the Danish State railways have caused the authorities to abandon the construction of steam locomotives in Denmark, states an article in the Oil Engine.

The progress made by the Danish State railways through experience is indicated by the fact that for the first Diesel-engined locomotives built a maximum load of 80 tons was allowed, at the speed of a common passenger train, but for the latest type, delivered last year, the maximum load stipulated at the same speed is 350 tons. The tractive power of the Diesel-electric coaches also has been increased, while the actual speeds have been augmented. The maximum speed of the first locomotive was about 50 miles an hour. This was raised to some 62 miles an hour for the 1932 type, while coaches to be supplied under a more recent contract will have a maximum of about 75 miles an hour. The cost of fuel for operating Dieselengined locomotives is considerably less than half that for steam locomotives of similar power. Moreover, all Dieselengined locomotives are served by one man, and an economy of 47 per cent, in wages is afforded, compared with the

steam type, which has two men. The daily costs of taking on fuel and cleaning are small, compared with steam vehicles, which require washing out, a fuel supply, firing-up and cleaning. An economy of 75 per cent, is found in this respect. The general advantages of the Dieselengined type outlined at the conference by Mr. Ove Munck, chief mechanical engineer to the Danish State Railways, included immediate readiness for operation, the manner in which they can start a train at full efficiency and maintain this during the whole start with better acceleration than steam locomotives provide, the fact that they require no inspection before being placed in the shed after finishing service, mid the maximum power which they, can maintain on gradients. A test showed that the economy obtained with Diesel engines ranged from 18 to 42 per cent., •compared with the steam type, .