*Note* There are excessive stutters throughout the video as we had to rely on improv.
In our video, we created a minecraft locomotive (based on the ES44AC carbody)
We created this because we want to find a solution to our already problematic locomotive emissions. Theoretically we could’ve scrapped a bunch of those smoky Alco Locomotives & turned them into pots & pans, but we wanted to come up with a zero emissions locomotive.
What we came up with was the ES44AC-DM (DM meaning dual mode) The ES44AC-DM is a dual mode version of the already existing GE/ Wabtec ES44AC, the difference is that our locomotive is equipped with a dual mode system, meaning that it operates on hydrogen, and/or solar-electric power.
So for an example, when it’s a hot BC Heat Wave day out, the locomotive can use its solar panels to power up. Once it hits night or the battery runs out, it can operate on hydrogen power.
The advantage of this is that it doesn’t have to run on diesel fuel like those smoky Alcos did.
This isn’t the first time that dual mode locomotives have been done. For an example, in 2010 Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) manufactured the ALP-45DP, which is a dual mode consisting of a fuel efficient diesel engine & a pantograph. When it’s running over electrified tracks (Catenary wires) it can use electric power. When there is no Catenary wires, it can run on diesel.
so your train runs on sunlight, i thought they roll on tracks. 😉 cool science but what happens when it rains?
When it rains & blocks the sun, it can run on hydrogen power until the sun comes back.
The rain can clean the solar panels at the same time!