Modern Steam

AN ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ALTERNATIVE TO DIESEL TRACTION

BENEFITS OF MODERN STEAM

One man operation for steam locomotives

Remote-controlled steam engines for ships

Light-oil firing with clean and spark free combustion

High thermal efficiency of engine and boiler

Modular concept

Modern manufacturing allows for exchangeable parts

Latest bearing technology reduces maintenance and protects the environment

Electric preheating device enables unattended heating up of steam boilers

 

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news and information

SS SPIEZ: MACHINING OF THE MOTION OF THE NEW STEAM ENGINE NEARS COMPLETION

26 February 2019

The new V-shaped twin steam engine for the screw steamer "Spiez" is nearing completion. The two photos show the connecting rods and the parts of the Stephenson control system with machining status from 26. 2. 2019. Photos Roger Waller

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MODERNIZED SNOW PLOUGHS IN ACTION

21 January 2019

Between 2009 and 2015 Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have modernized 23 snow ploughs to increase their reliability and improve the ecology. The old, oil-dripping plain bearings have all been replaced by new modern roller bearing wheelsets delivered by DLM. The special technology of these roller bearing wheelsets had been developed for the likewise modernization of the steam locomotive 52 8055. It allows the use of roller bearings without modification of the frame. The heavy snowfalls in large parts of Austria gave the snowploughs a lot of work. Clearing the track by means of a snow plough is very attractive to look at, as can be verified by the short video:

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New Boiler for Steam Ship SS Spiez

1 December 2018

On December 1, 2018 the new boiler has been lifted into the boiler room of the screw steamer SS Spiez, see pictures taken by Robert Horlacher. The all-new two-cylinder steam engine is unfortunately not yet ready, which is mainly due to the generally excellent workload of the Swiss manufacturing industry. Tailor-made never meant priority within manufacturing proceses, but this time it was simply impossible to get things done in an acceptable time frame.

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Puffing Billy: Oil-fired 14A officially inaugurated

29 October 2018

On the occasion of the 20-year anniversary of the reopening of Puffing Billy's Gembrook section on October 18, 2018, oil-firedNA-class steam locomotive 14A was officially presented to the public. The picture shows Puffing Billy's technical managers David Clowes (left) and Tim Heeks in front of decorated 14A.

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Steamship SS Spiez: Boiler approved

20 September 2018

The new three-pass boiler for SS Spiez has been built by the German manufacturer Bay Boilers BBS and approved by TUEV. The boiler produces 1000 kg of superheated steam at 16 bar and 420°C. The modern steam plant with the automatic boiler and the new remote-controlled steam engine replaces the old Diesel motor. The pictures (BBS) show the boiler without the insulation.

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PUFFING BILLY: OIL-FIRED NA-CLASS LOCOMOTIVE 14A IN REGULAR TRAFFIC

30 June 2018

On  Mai 24, 2018 the oil-fired NA-class locomotive hauled the first official time-tabled passenger train and is since regularly used, mainly on the entire section to Gembrook. At the same time, firemen and driver training has been  extended. The main reason for the conversion to light oil firing was the elimination of fire danger and many a steam railway in Europe and the USA may now wish to have had the same foresight. Climate change results in more frequent and longer dry periods, even in countries once famous for rain. So the question to be asked more and more often is: would you rather have an oil-fired steam locmotive or a  replacement diesel in front of your train?

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SUCCESSFUL STEAM EVENT, ALL STEAM TRAINS ON TIME

31 May 2018

The Steam Centre of Winterthur recorded a high number of visitors and all steam trains run exactly on time. The picture shows the arrival of coal-fired 52 2988 (052 988-3) with the feeder train from Rottweil, before 52 8055 took over. Photo Roger Waller

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Puffing Billy: Oil-fired NA-class locomotive 14A in regular traffic

16 April 2018

On Mai 24, 2018 the oil-fired NA-class locomotive hauled the first official time-tabled passenger train and is since regularly used, mainly on the entire section to Gembrook. At the same time, firemen and driver training has been extended. The main reason for the conversion to light oil firing was the elimination of fire danger and many a steam railway in Europe and the USA may now wish to have had the same foresight. Climate change results in more frequent and longer dry periods, even in countries once famous for rain. So the question to be asked more and more often is: would you rather have an oil-fired steam locmotive or a replacement diesel in front of your train? /puffing billy_oil-fired na-class 14a near gembrook_photo tony ashcat marsden.jpg

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Combined Heat, Power and Mobility CHPM - An Alternative to diesel and battery-powered Vehicles

10 December 2017

In combined heat and power processes, waste heat is often partly recovered for domestic heating and is therefore useful only in the cold season. Furthermore, as a result of climate change and better building technologies, the demand for heating energy is gradually declining. Combining power and mobility opens up a range of new possiblities for waste heat recovery with no seasonal limitations. For instance waste heat from a gas power station can be used to produce hot water under pressure in a waste heat recovery boiler and the high pressure steam uesd to drive modern steam powered vehicles.

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