Eco-steam project

Interesting idea.

Comments:



1,.) Coal burning locomotives of yesteryear, the well designed ones, did not smoke much. Using anthracite coal, and fired by a competent fireman and engineer, they produced barely any visible smoke, though they put out clouds of condensed or nearly-condensed steam.



2.) How are they going to manage the maintenance and the need for (treated) water for the boilers? Or are they going to condense the exhaust steam for use to feed the boilers as was done on South African steam locomotives where water was in short supply? Those condensing locomotives had problems of their own.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Class_25_4-8-4



3.) Will they use roller bearings everywhere on the locomotives, as on the N&W J-series locomotives? I think the Class A locomotives were roller bearing as well.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%26W_J_class_%281941%29



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_%26_Western_1218



4.) Where will they get qualified steam locomotive engineers? It requires a long training program, longer than for diesel electric and electric locomotives. In New Jersey you need a  high pressure steam boiler license with several years actual experience driving one under supervision of a suitable licensed engineer to get a steam locomotive endorsement on the license.



http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/laws/boiler_law.html#90-8.12



See, especially 12:90-8.3 and following sections if you care. It takes a long time to get the license, and there are very few qualified steam locomotive engineers qualified to do the required apprenticeship.



In other words, it takes a lot more than an improved carbon substance to use in an existing steam locomotive, or even a slightly redesigned one. And to be economically viable, a lot of training will need to be done, and soon, before all qualified teachers have joined the other dead men.