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The vast majority of trains in the US are diesel-powered, although they're about 4x more efficient than trucks. It's tempting to imagine they could all run on
by pardoned_turkey 3y ago
The vast majority of trains in the US are diesel-powered, although they're about 4x more efficient than trucks.
It's tempting to imagine they could all run on electricity, but it's probably hard, as many routes go through hundreds of miles of rugged nothingness. This is quite different from rail transport in Europe.
- jojobas 3y agoThere are very few places in the US that don't have 115kV+ lines somewhere nearby. http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/national_energy_grid/united-states-of-america/americannationalelectricitygrid.shtml http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/national_energy_gri... They follow the same valleys around heavy terrain etc. Feel free to superimpose the grid map and the rail map. So it's a matter of electric locomotives, poles, contact wires and transformers, no small feat but what can you do.
- ianburrell 3y agoThe rail companies are really resistant to electrifying lines. I think because they are focused on cutting costs and spending money would cut into profit. Unfortunately, that means that the government will likely have to pay for it or force them. They have been looking into battery electric locomotives which don't make any sense except for switching yards. I read recently that there are electric and diesel locomotives which can use overhead power where available and switch to diesel when it isn't. That has the advantage that they can electrify lines incrementally.
- peteradio 3y agoYea and what if a little kid stepped on the track and got electrifried. But at least if it got hit by a lightning it would get some free juice so there's plussed and minused.