World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

SandTEngineer

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Re: World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2019, 16:19:35 »

Quote from: bignosemac on April 25, 2019, 16:04:54

Quote from: Red Squirrel on April 25, 2019, 13:18:13

Quote from: Celestial on April 25, 2019, 12:06:24

I'm guessing that as Byron Bay is a similar latitude to the Canaries that both the strength of the sun and amount of it is slightly more than we might get in the UK^▸ . I certainly wouldn't suggest to TfW that they rely on it for the Valley Lines electrification.

Maybe solar wouldn't work in the Valleys, but I'm told it can be quite windy atop the surrounding hills...

So, sail powered trains then?

You should copyright that idea BNM. I'm sure our current climate change protesters would love that...... Roll Eyes


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grahame

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Re: World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

« Reply #16 on: April 25, 2019, 16:41:58 »

Quote from: bignosemac on April 25, 2019, 16:04:54

So, sail powered trains then?

http://douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/sail/sail.htm

I recall doing one as an "O" gauge project about 40 years ago - problem was it was too light and blew over ... looked rather like the Spooner example on that page linked above.


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JayMac

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Re: World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

« Reply #17 on: April 25, 2019, 19:42:49 »

Quote from: grahame on April 25, 2019, 16:41:58

Quote from: bignosemac on April 25, 2019, 16:04:54

So, sail powered trains then?

Well... who knew? I thought I'd had an original idea. Turns out the idea's been around for nearly 200 years.


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stuving

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Re: World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

« Reply #18 on: April 27, 2019, 22:51:33 »

Quote from: Red Squirrel on April 25, 2019, 11:49:54

Quote from: stuving on April 25, 2019, 11:42:18

Well, there is one at the Royal Deeside Railway...

Oh yes... handsome brute it is too!

For anyone who likes pictures of that BEMU, I have just found a small heap of them showing it in service in the 1960s. The GNSRA covers (obviously) the whole GNSR in its picture gallery.


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broadgage

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Re: World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

« Reply #19 on: August 09, 2021, 20:01:42 »

This solar/battery powered train featured in tonight's TV program "Great Australian railway journeys" shown at 19-00 on BBC^» 2.


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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU^▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.

grahame

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Re: World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

« Reply #20 on: March 26, 2024, 09:26:50 »

Quote from: Red Squirrel on April 24, 2019, 10:38:27

Could this technology, or a version of it, be used in Britain?

From the Totnes Times

Quote

If all goes as planned, it will be the 10th year that the Kingsbridge and District Light Railway, known locally as ‘the little train on the embankment’, has run a service.

During that time, the solar-powered railway has transported children to the park and adults halfway to the Crabshell.

The train was originally steam-powered, but thanks to solar panels installed on the roof of the train shed, the service is now eco-friendly.


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johnneyw

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From station to station, back to Bristol city....

Re: World First Solar Train Arrives in Byron Bay [Australia]

« Reply #21 on: March 26, 2024, 11:52:06 »

I've been on it! A couple of times.... purely to accompany various grandchildren you understand!
I remember the old steam one too, on the other side of the quay. It closed back in the 80s and few traces remain.
The new railway was funded by a "share issue" and has been running for a few years now from the "Ria End" station up towards the quayside Crabshell Inn.....a splendid destination for a sunny afternoon.


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