How many solar panels or wind turbines would it take to power an EMU?

Ahhhhh, you see this is where the 'strategic reserve' comes into play for just such an issue as the electricity running out.......

 

I realise that the title of this thread only covers solar and wind as methods or sustainable power generation but if off board power is to be considered hydro generation should also be included. I wasn't being flippant when I mentioned Lynton and Lynmouth though I was thinking more of the potential than the mode of employment. I see that the stored energy system at Dinorwic got a mention but there are real large scale hydro electric schemes in the Scottish Highlands not to mention many small scale schemes using repurposed waterwheels or Archimedean screws. There could also be other methods of generating renewable energy though I am not suggesting connecting the onboard toilets to an anaerobic bio-digester.

The next area to look at is making the best use of the available energy and while there is a surge in hybrid technology in the auto-mobile industry with the exception of class 139 the rail industry has a lot of catching up to do.

 

Curiously that is quite an old idea. For example the abortive Portmadoc, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway that eventually emerged as the Welsh Highland was intended as an electric railway powered by hydro. The intention if I remember correctly was to power trains by day, and power to homes at night for lighting. The power station was built and still operates.

The story is here https://www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/Portmadoc,_Beddgelert_and_South_Snowdon_Railway

Steve B

 

I'm glad you discount this idea - I have images in my mind of the guard on a late running train appealing to passengers to each do their bit to help...

Steve B

 

It has been there since CIGs were running on the Southern Region... first in 1964.

Getting back on topic, I was thinking small scale facilities to power heritage railways and allow for EMUs to run on them.

 

Best thing would be a MLV to tow the unit around

 

If you are thinking about 3rd rail power pickup then this topic was covered seven years ago: https://www.national-preservation.c...itage-3rd-rail-emus-on-a-preserved-line.24018

After so long it may merit revisiting though I suspect the previous conclusions are still valid.

 

I think the expression regarding that subject is 'done to death'.

However, if you could harness the kinetic energy from the keys being hit by everyone posting on railway and railway modelling-orientated internet forums, I reckon you'd easily power an EMU to infinity. All the hot air expended would also mean it was toasty warm inside

 

And that's just on the subject of liveries but if you were to start afresh with a blank bit of paper, would you have ended up with the system you have now, a mix of 3rd rail750 v, 25kv overhead and non electrified needing a mixed traffic fleet?

 

Great concept! Moreover, if the whole track was tilted to one side to about 30 degrees from the horizontal (facing south or west), this would maximise the output from the solar panels. So one could probably run a second EMU up and down the line at the same time.

An extra bonus would be all the effluent from the loos on the Brighton Belle would immediately run off the tilted panels onto one side of the track, where it could be easily collected and drained away. So there would be no need to ruin this historic stock by fitting non-authentic retention toilets. Genius! What's the address of the Belle people?

 

I suggest you look at the following link www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/administration/energyfutureslab/news-6-1-2017-9-34-9
Someone is taking the whole idea quite seriously
I now realise the above link is not working, I hope this one will

www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Comment/plugging-solar-power-into-our-railways

 

I noticed on the South Tynedale's Facebook page that their battery electric loco 'Carlisle' is now being charged exclusively by solar panels mounted on the roof of the new Alston train shed.

 

#winning

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-...e-brainchild-of-byron-bay-millionaire/9265522