Seeking info on alternate fuels used in locomotives. Two examples follow.
BN 7149 and 7890 were converted to run on natural gas. I haven't found anything about the test, other than the fact that it occurred.

UP No. 57 was converted to burn natural gas. It too isn't well documented.

Can someone provide more or point me in the direction where more info may be found?

hankmorris@earthlink.net

> UP No. 57 was converted to burn natural gas.
> It too isn't well documented.

> Can someone provide more or point me in the
> direction where more info may be found?

UP 57 was converted to propane (LPG), not natural gas.

It's documented pretty well in the various books about UP turbines, most of which are still available.

You might try contacting the folks at the Napa Valley Wine Train. They have converted at least one of their ex-VIA FP4's to run on either natural gas or propane (can't remember which).

> Seeking info on alternate fuels used in
> locomotives. Two examples follow.
> BN 7149 and 7890 were converted to run on
> natural gas. I haven't found anything about
> the test, other than the fact that it
> occurred.

> UP No. 57 was converted to burn natural gas.
> It too isn't well documented.

> Can someone provide more or point me in the
> direction where more info may be found?

Don't forget Sierra Railroad's biodiesel experiment:

http://www.worldenergy.net/Sierra%20Rai ... elease.doc

eledbetter@rypn.org

> Can someone provide more or point me in the
> direction where more info may be found?

How alternative do you want? Depending on how broadly you seek, I can come up with everything from attempts to burn coal tar and lignite in steamers to peat-"burning" Irish steamers to an act of desperation during World War Two when a couple Finnish shunters were operated by burning DRIED FISH.............


lner4472@bcpl.net

> How alternative do you want? Depending on
> how broadly you seek, I can come up with
> everything from attempts to burn coal tar
> and lignite in steamers to
> peat-"burning" Irish steamers to
> an act of desperation during World War Two
> when a couple Finnish shunters were operated
> by burning DRIED FISH.............
So far, I've got some info on liquified petroleum (LP)/propane, liquid natural gas (LNG), compressed integrated natural gas, fluidized coal, and hybrid (like Toyota and Honda cars) a.k.a. "green" experiments.
There's very little actual details, lots of sales hype, though, from interested parties, with the attendent self-interest. Just few details or facts. I'd like to learn more--and--publish what I've learned at some point.
The nice thing is, I have lots of time to gather info--no deadline. That's a luxury I didn't have when I was a paid editor for 20-1/2 years.

hankmorris@earthlink.net

Look up the message in this board, "Big Dreams in Nevada", by Bob Yeager. Follow the link to train orders. Interesting.

retsquid@tvec.net

The former Southern (U.K.) Railway chief mechanical officer, O.V.S. Bulleid after retirement attempted to create a pete-burning locomotive in Ireland.

david.wilkins@inisightbb.com