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Why do steam trains have a diesel at the back?
In the interim, until all steam locomotives were modified to work an air-braked train, they were required to be fitted with a through air pipe so a diesel or electric locomotive could be attached in order to provide assistance in the event of failure of the steam locomotive.
Why does big boy use a diesel?
A: The diesel serves many purposes. Its dynamic braking saves brake shoes. Its power provides a boost that saves on No. And if Big Boy were disabled on the main line, the diesel could still move the train.
Are steam engines more powerful than diesel?
Firstly the diesel engine has an impressively high thermal efficiency – with modern diesel engines achieving 45\% efficiency compared to a steam engines 10\% giving them to achieve greater distances between refuelling stops.
Why do trains have diesel engines on the back?
The diesel on the back can give the train a ‘shove’ to get it up to speed more quickly and maintain speed on gradients which allow the train to fit into the demands of the modern network and generally keep out of the way of the rest of the traffic.
Should we replace diesel with steam in rail travel?
It could be matched by emissions certificates. Replacing diesel with popular steam would not suit every service. But some 70\% of non-commuter rail travel is leisure and tourism. On existing private lines, some operators reckon they can charge twice as much for a steam train as for a diesel.
Do diesel locomotives have brakes?
Most diesel locomotives are fitted with air brakes. Basically they are just along for the ride. The use of a diesel locomotive is not always mandatory, quite a lot of tour trains only use the steam locomotive as the sole power source.
Why do some locomotives have steam heat?
Decades ago, most coaches had steam heat only. For this reason, many of the earlier diesel locomotives were equipped with an oil burning steam generator for carriage warming. It was cheaper to fit the extra equipment to perhaps a hundred locos than to modify thousands of coaches.