http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_loco ... st_century
and THIS
http://www.dlm-ag.ch/index.php
!
Much of a big surpise to me! at first I though anyone rebuilding, running, and maintaining modern steams are associations of rail fans in any given locale.
But once i've read through the webs (especially the pages relating to railroading) The active "Modern Steam Enterprise" did indeed exists even as of now! the company is called Dampflocomotiv und Maschinewerks A.G. (sh. the name is in German, the web itself is primarily written in Germans, several sections are not translated to english) and you ain't gonna believe it.... the Company itself launched in July (?) 1992. its first entirely new developed steam locomotives was launched in the same year (its initial goal was to preserve . While many of its works are rebuilding and upgrading several european steamers, they also "produced" all new modern steam to the following.Ex. "The Pacific Railroad Association" in the westcoast USA is operating many 'pruned out' shortlines (especially ones that once was belonging to a mighty Southern Pacific) also rebuilding/restoring steam locomotives (and doing now!). Given a current facts that every parts that makes the whole locomotives are now have to be either salvaged from other steamers, or milled from 'DIY steel materials' (?? well in the US) means that these projects are queued (And yeh! Slow). and therefore operational steam locomotives (re)built this way is still rare and thus, those steamers primary task is to haul tourist passenger cars every holliday (called, excoursions) ,several times the consists are set as 'mixed cargo'.
- Brienz Rothorn Railway
- Montreux - Glion - Rochers-de-Naye (electrified)
- OBB Schneebergand Schafberg line
One of the DLM's pride is the successful prevention of the the original Hauenstein line (Sissach - Olten) closure (And therefore prevents the eventual replacement by less-economical shuttle bus), it was made possible by the retrofitting of the 2-10-0 Kriegslok '8055' steamer
The success is. of course! has the marketing usefulness for the DLM. Not only it proves that Modern Steam is much better than Diesel tractions. ( again! proven that H. F. Brown's "Economic results of diesel-electric motive power" thesis is correct). but also provides another logic to the "Steam VS Electrification" arguements. of course! several European countries and Japan favors electrification over Dieselization for their RR systems. and the 'most successful' feats of electrification culminated in the modern High Speed Trains (french TGV, Japanese Shinkansen, for example)... DLM uses the case study of the original swiss Hauenstein line (Sissach - Olten); which the electrification did very little to save the line (the revenue covers only 20% electrification costs. which it means electrification doesn't yield any fruits to the line)... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauenstein_railway_line for more details that this part is not 'made up' to promote the DLM marketing scheme.On 22 September 2005 the "Modern Steam am Hauenstein GmbH" has been founded at Sissach, Switzerland. The first step to be undertaken will be the development of a business plan. The ultimate aim of the company is to save rail traction on the old Hauenstein line from Sissach to Olten. The present electric traction covers its cost to only 20% and is therefore in danger of being changed to bus operation. The concept of a modern, economic and ecologically viable steam train allows higher revenue with equal operating costs, thereby significantly reducing the amount of subsidies. The line from Sissach to Olten is a good case for demonstrating such an idea, but other branch lines can be looked at as well.
Its marketing promotions have its flaws
1. The advertised "new" locomotives (and also an upgrads of the existing ones) are oil-firing (check out the Diagram in this page. http://www.dlm-ag.ch/en/modern-steam?start=3 while DLM said that the featured product burns 'Light fuel oil' (AKA. Heating oil), the diagram said it burned the Mazout (which it could means No.6 Fuel Oil). while many of their pamphet cited that they also posessed a cutting edge coal-firing firebox technology (ones that similar to what featured in 'Age of Steam V: Phoenix Rising' scenario, but even better!!), promoting oil-fired steamer doesn't convince any american shortline operating enterprises who are trying to toss out Diesels and wanting the steamers that compatible with domestic coal.
2. Slamming electrification. while the case study of original Hauelstein line which revealed that electrification doesn't fit there (and neither dieselizations nor bus replacements), other case study against electrification of other european shortlines aren't shown.
3. Also while schematics of a 'New' 4-8-4t delivered to the Netherlands are shown in this page http://www.dlm-ag.ch/en/locomotives . No actual photos of the engine itself being delivered there (not even in News section. it is). how will American shortline operators trust them, and how will American Class 2 regional line operators feels convinced to file a purchasing order of some new coal-fired modern steamers?
Neverthenless the news section portrayed that the company is doing good! to the point of 'expansion' (?).
ok. supposed that you're running short line and wants to do both freights and passenger service and still earn revenue (and profits) you,ve found out that the existing lines have some profiting potentials. supposed that you've read several academic journals/writings regarding to Dieselizations and found out that Diesels aren't an option, and can't afford any Electrification. also you found out that there are operating coal mines near you.
and supposed that you've seen this website before http://www.dlm-ag.ch/
WILL YOU CONTACT DLM TO BUILD A FLEET OF NEW MODERN STEAMS FOR THE SHORT LINE YOU'RE OWNING?