Re: re. Gen. Trailers (More LR EV concerns...)

[Bob Rice <"bobrice@snet.net"@snet.net>]

Bob MacDowell wrote:
> 
> There's an interesting parallel to the steam locomotive industry.
> The most remarkable innovations were made in the "Super Power", the
> big mechanically stoked, articulated 5000-hp monsters of the 30s and
> 40s.  Remarkable, amazing machines, brilliant in their complexity and
> vision.   Obsoleted within 10 years, and eradicated within 20.
> 
  And that's why Baldwin and Lima aren't household nanes nowadaze! They
made valiant trys in the Diesel field, and many of their attempts are
considered classics.
> The parallel continues.  These awesome beasts were wiped off the planet
> by a new concept that was simple, and electric. 
 
   A small upstart outfit called Electro-Motive,Hah! Woulda liked to
call a EV company that! back in the 20's, oh, youve heard of them, part
of GM now. Now GE is giving them some competition today, and from the
old ALCO factory, of which they helped kill off 40 years ago. The lokie
business is an ongoing lively thing.
  Which had, for backwards
> compatibility with steam-heated coaches, a small steam boiler onboard.
> Funny, huh?
> Amtrak only got rid of the last of the steam heated stuff, about 10 years ago, converting everything to 480@ 60 hz three fase, supplied from the locomotive, as were the FIRST electrically lighted trains in the 1880's! Traditionn lingered on THAT long.

  Bob