The Coal-Fired Gas Turbine Locomotive: A New Look

The idea of a coal-fired gas turbine locomotive dates back over a half century with significant developments being made in the decade between 1944 and 1955. These developments did not lead to a locomotive which could compete with the Diesel locomotive. Today, with the increase in the price of Diesel fuel, a new look at coal-fired gas turbines is appropriate. Advances in turbomachinery technology and new means of coal combustion may have made it possible to develop a competitive locomotive. Of the various combinations of combustors, cycles, and turbines, the external combustion, closed cycle regenerative gas turbine with a fluidized bed coal combustor appears to be the best suited to this application. The external combustion, open cycle regenerative gas turbine; and the internal combustion, open cycle regenerative gas turbine with a coal gasifier are the second and third choices.