GAS TURBINE DRIVE FOR NEW HIGH SPEED TRAINS

After numerous tests over the last 40 years, the aircraft gas turbine of two-shaft design has emerged as the most promising power unit for high-powered, fast and lightweight rail vehicles of the future. The performance characteristics, superior to those of the diesel engine, are complemented either by an electrical transmission system or a hydraulic transmission unit. The advantage of the gas turbine lies in its compactness and lightness in weight, allowing a doubling of power and savings in space. Viewed from a commercial standpoint, this means a covering of fuel costs. In respect of noise development and exhaust gas emission, the gas turbine is also more favorable than the diesel engine. The most successful series-built vehicles powered by gas turbines are the turbotrains of the SNCF which have also been imported into the USA where they are to be built under license.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was contributed by the Gas Turbine Division of ASME for presentation at the Gas Turbine Conference & Products Show, Houston, Texas, March 2-6, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • KELLER, R
• Publication Date: 1974-12-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 13 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Gas turbine locomotives; Gas turbines; High speed rail; Horsepower; Hydraulic transmissions; Multiple unit trains; Railroad cars; Turbotrains
• Old TRIS Terms: Motive power; Turbine locomotives; Turbo-electric rail car
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083052
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: 75-GT-88
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 8 1975 12:00AM