A Lesson in Torque, Steam vrs Diesel
John Deere Tractor vs. 1800s Steam Tractor Can't dispute the results.
Forum Discussion
" Steam was more efficient than diesel/electric, however the steam engines were not capable of handling the grades."
Seems to me some years ago, when the diesel/electric were really taking over on the railroads, there was one grade in Colorado where they kept one steam engine (one of the HUGE ones, possibly a Malley) in service to help push the diesel/electrics over the grade. I could be wrong, it happens frequently, but I remember reading about it.
I haven't watched the video, but I have watched the tractor pulls at a local antique tractor show. ALL of the restored gas and diesel tractors do quite well, all things considered, but the only thing that stopped the steam tractor was he ran out of field room. The sled never even slowed him down, while it STOPPED all the other tractors!
Seems to me some years ago, when the diesel/electric were really taking over on the railroads, there was one grade in Colorado where they kept one steam engine (one of the HUGE ones, possibly a Malley) in service to help push the diesel/electrics over the grade. I could be wrong, it happens frequently, but I remember reading about it.
I haven't watched the video, but I have watched the tractor pulls at a local antique tractor show. ALL of the restored gas and diesel tractors do quite well, all things considered, but the only thing that stopped the steam tractor was he ran out of field room. The sled never even slowed him down, while it STOPPED all the other tractors!
