In the past, trains were steam locomotives, but now most trains use electric locomotives. Their differences are as follows:
1 different power:
1. Electric locomotives have high power, pull a lot, run fast and have enough energy to climb hills. When electric locomotives descend a slope, resistance braking is used, allowing the train to descend the slope at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour, which is both fast and safe.
2. When a steam locomotive goes down a slope, it leans on the brake shoes. The brake shoes will heat up due to friction if they are not cooled in time, it will be difficult to brake the locomotive. In order to ensure driving safety, steam locomotives move down hills more slowly than they go up, and sometimes even stop and start, so thatthe heated brake shoes have sufficient time to cool.
2. Different operations:
1. Coal-fired steam locomotives have a big disadvantage, that is, facilities for adding coal and water must be installed along the railway line and must be installed during operation. Much time was spent filling the locomotive with coal and water. These are very unprofitable.
2. Electric locomotives are easy to operate, and the preparation time before departure is short Whether in desert areas where water is scarce, or in cold areas where there is ice and snow, both that there is. electric power, electric locomotives can pull the train day and night.
3. Different efficiencies:
1. Electric locomotives use electrical energy, which can be generated by coal, oile, hydropower, nuclear power, natural gas, geothermal power, solar power, etc. And it’s effective. The efficiency of electric locomotives using thermal energy can reach 39%. If hydropower is used, thermal efficiency can reach 60-70%.
2. The thermal efficiency of steam locomotives is very low. Only part of the heat of fuel combustion in the boiler is converted into steam thermal energy. The maximum thermal efficiency of steam locomotives is only 8%. 9%, and it stops at the station and is repaired in the locomotive depot, rest, etc. still needs to consume fuel, so the actual thermal efficiency is only 5% to 7%.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Steam Locomotive
Baidu Encyclopedia - Train