Ashley 288 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Not doing such here of course, Mojave Desert USA but still of interest? have already unofficially passed the 127mph set in 1906 and are hoping to hit 170mph! Must be hell of a job for the fireman shovelling at that speed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 860 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Didn't know owt about this one Ashley, it looks a bit sleaker than a Stanley Steamer. I bet Fred Dibnah would have had a few things to say about this. Incidentally, there's been talk about the new A1 Pacific Tornado, being given clearance to attempt beating Mallard by having a go at the World Steam Locomotive record by flogging it down the new Channel Tunnel line down to Folkestone, I'll believe it when I see it, they seem to have forgotten that the gradients on the line are'nt so forgiving as Stoke Bank. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Vehicle Details Length 7.663 m Width 1.700 m Tall 1.700 m Weight 3 tons Engine Two stage turbine 13,000rpm max turbine revs Transmission Rear wheel drive Horsepower 268 kw 360 hp Top speed 274 kph 170 mph Fuel LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas Burners 3 Megawatts of heat ~ 1500 kettles ~ 23 cups of tea per second Boilers 12 Over 3km of tubing Superheated Steam Flow rate 40 litres per minute Temperature 400°C Pressure 4000kN/m-2 40 bar Chassis Steel space frame Steering Rack and pinion to front wheels Body Front section carbon composite Rear section aluminum panels Front tyres Goodyear Speed Eagles 23 X 15 Rear tyres Goodyear Speed Eagles 28 X 15 Water capacity 140 litres distilled water 1,000 litres (1ton) of water used every 25 minutes Gas capacity 60 litres Air system 30,000kN/m-2 300 bar Batteries 4 X 90Ah batteries © 1999-2009, British Steam Car Challenge Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted August 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 nice and simple then! lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 860 Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Bloody hell, it uses 1000 litres of water every 25 minutes but only has a capacity of 140 litres, it must have a short running time then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 If the existing steam car world record is a 100 years old you have to take your caps off to these early pioneers! We should be breaking the sound barrier in todays steam car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 860 Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 It looks like it's propelled by a steam turbine, lets not forget the affect that 'Turbinia' had on the Fleet Review in 1897, you would have thought that steam technology would have come on a bit since then, obviously a neglected science. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limey 242 Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 you would have thought that steam technology would have come on a bit since then, obviously a neglected science. Surprising innit? Actually, steam turbines have advanced dramatically but mostly in the design of blades, etc. The concept is still the same, and to the untrained eye a modern turbine would look much like a 100 year-old one. Probably the biggest changes in steam technology have been in boiler design and efficiency! I wonder if they run a water truck alongside the steam car to keep it topped off? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted August 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 so long as they don't have a steam organ with it! awful racket! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 860 Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Enjoy this Ashley:- Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,646 Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Just heard on the radio that the record for steam power was broken today , I think something like 132 mph Rog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley 288 Posted August 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 aye I saw that, didn't see any fireman though! in reality though the 130 odd mph is only what some cars and most superbikes do if not daily then often, so really it's only the "engine" that has lagged behind development wise Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Well done to the guys. !! !! !! But hats off to the 1906 record winner, compare the cars below, difference is 106 years and 12.843mph. 1906 - 127mph 2009 - 139.843mph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fynger 841 Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Well if they'de done it in this theyde have been all kitted out if they had a crash. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Hi Kev, !rotfl! Nice one, those sloping seats look dodgy, and no seat belts! Perhaps it can scoop you up after you have gone "ace-over" in an emergency stop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 860 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Can you believe that it's the best they can do after all that time and technological advances, incredible. I was hoping to see a an interview with the proper driver, grease top hat on back to front, soot stained face but white eyes where the goggles had been, a typical scene at Grantham station in the 60's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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