Early Humans : Theodore Grey, Invention Proposal for a Fireless Locomotive
INVENTION DISCLOSURE
1. Title of the Invention:
Fireless Locomotive
2. Inventor: Theodore Grey
Sanctuary, 4th Sector
Ap. Complex 19
Floor 5, Door 8
3. Circumstances and Date of Conception:
On Year 925 six months, I was observing the testing of a steam locomotive and its failure to provide a ride to its passengers without smoke filling the tunnel and cause discomfort, or in one unfortunate case, death. The current and only viable solution would be to bore air vents, however that would be extremely dangerous, considering our level of technology, and would require billions upon billions of Cogs from our wallets. Thus, I decided to leave out the firebox entirely and instead, rely on pressurized steam, which would only have an effect on the humidity of the tunnel, and would leave passengers riding comfortably.
4. Description of the Invention:
a. Purpose - The Fireless Locomotive would make intercity transport safer and more practical.
b. Drawings - My invention and how it operates is shown in FIGURE 1.
c. Description of the Parts - My locomotive is made up of the following, a steam accumulator (1), which is supplied with superheated water by a high-pressure hose coupling (2), that pressurizes the steam lines (3), and is controlled by a set of steam valves (4). The steam passes through the system to the cylinders (5), which forces the connecting rods (6), to move the driving wheels (7).
d. Use - The locomotive is first injected with superheated water under pressure through the high-pressure hose coupling (2) that sends the water to the steam accumulator (1). The pressure is then released by the main steam valve (4) which sends the steam through the steam lines (3) into the cylinders (5) that propel the driving wheels (7) and moves the locomotive and its cargo.
e. Novel Features - All the other solutions to the problem of smoke in the tunnels are "solved" by either switching to a low-smoke coal, or by filtering the smoke with various methods. My invention simply has no fire, and thus no smoke. The fireless locomotive has the following novel features:
Without a fire, there is no smoke to be released in the tunnels.
A fireless locomotive can idle without the need to periodically add coal.
Due to the lack of a heat exchanger, there is no need to acquire a large amount of expensive brass for the use in steam pipes.
By not consuming water constantly, there is absolutely no chance of a boiler explosion.
f. Advantages - The fireless locomotive is cheaper, easier to operate, and considerably safer than the latest prototype of the coal-fueled engine. The superheated steam used by the fireless locomotive is the same type used to power industrial machinery, making its fuel renewable, plentiful, and cheap.
5. Testing Results:
On Year 926 eight months, the final prototype was able to travel roughly thirty miles per hour for seven miles while pulling a cargo of twenty fully-loaded passenger carriages, more than enough to make a round-trip to any city from Sanctuary. All passengers reported a notable increase in satisfaction and comfort, with a 20% reduction in operation costs.
(Attached Letter)
Dear Mr. Grey,
We have received your proposal and have recommended your invention to the Committee of Production, who have promptly approved your "Fireless Locomotive" and have prepared for its mass-production. We invite you to the Blackwall Ironworks where we offer you 250,000 Cogs for the chance to produce this revolutionary new machine.
With regards,
Jack Clark, Blackwall Ironworks
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Fireless locomotives do exist albet in only industrial applications. Now, once the humans surface the best bet would be to keep the fireless locos, or convert to electric, in the tunnels for the mines and such and use coal burning conventional steam locomotives for the aboveground work.
I do love this novel idea and will be watching closely my good sir.
I like it. Nice world building.
It seems the early Humans use 1800s technology.
I wonder what "modern" Humans use? Contemporary technology? "Near future" (2020-2050)? Or far future (2100 and beyond)?
I can't give this a like. It is a fun concept but nothing is really being done. It is like trying to read the Silmarillian.
2475543
Well thanks anyways!
2474781
According to the original idea, the humans will have steampunk tech. True, steampunk is interesting to me, but I've had a little trouble imagining it so I've stuck with 1800-1900/Industrial Revolution level tech.
Can't imagine them a century later. I've tried.
I find this world your building quite fascinating. Exactly what you plan to do with it eludes me but I have little doubt that I’ll enjoy it very much.
The ‘Steam Rifle’ especially caught my attention. At first I thought it would use steam pressure to fire spikes, a little like the railway gun from fallout 3. Naturally I was surprised by it when, from what I can tell, it instead used a jet of steam to cook the target alive. Of course this led me to question it’s effectiveness at range and back to the steam spike idea. Eventually I figured out, would it really be all that difficult to get it to do both? A quick flip of a switch to channel the high pressure steam between a nozzle and a barrel containing a loaded spike.
Just thought you might enjoy the idea.
2481565
I got the idea from flamethrowers, without the flame. It will kill your target, choke any who are still alive, and it makes a nice steam cooker. Of course when they go aboveground, the spike launcher might be useful...
Anyways, thanks much!
2482214 My pleasure.
Steampunk tech has always intrigued me even if I'm more of a Sci-fi guy.
It seems like this fireless steam engine just runs off of pressurized steam loaded in from an external boiler. I'm not sure how much range something like that can have.... If you want ideas for possible advances by the time they reach the surface, maybe they could have discovered gunpowder? Gatling guns are pretty steampunk.
2485490
Here
Says that a 60-ton locomotive @ 200 lbs. pressure can go 95 miles. The one in this story is much smaller, and is also the first in a line of many.
I'm actually not sure about gunpowder. Maybe.
2486509 That's pretty cool! But it also says that with just three freight cars, the range is reduced to 21 miles. Still pretty interesting though! Another advance might be automatons, or do you want to keep things slightly more realistic?
2490430
Probably a mix of both.
Dis story must be McDonald's.
Cuz I'm lovin' it.
2490562 Well, regardless of whether you include automatons or not, mechanical computers are definitely a possibility! They existed back then, and were called, depending on exactly how they worked, difference engines, or analytical engines.
2530077
It's in chronological order, but when it exactly happened is unknown. It's seeing through the eyes of someone who is reading a journal and wondering what the hell went on then.
It's a fun little project, and short chapter length is something I absolutely love, because anything over a thousand words and it would take months to write. I'm weird like that.
2630195
Aw... Wait. Really?
Hmn... I just might...
2630322
Step 1: Finish the story.
Step 2: Make sure more than one person is behind it.
Step 3: Do it.
I think it's an ok idea, although I won't be writing anything. Reading, maybe?
2735730
Yeah, sorry about the wait. End-of-the-year exams, graduation, paperwork, and early summer laziness were all factors.
Anyways, thanks much!
2737353
Pretty interesting, if short, story so far. When's the next update going to happen?
2832574
I have absolutely no idea. The story is built, but I'm wondering on how to tell it.
2854584
I know. I got really lazy.
Might be a good idea to redo the first chapter.
4776892
That was totally unintentional.
But actually kind of cool that it worked out like that.
I believe fireless locomotives are called steam engines and they fell out of favor a long time ago. I'm pretty sure this is common knowledge though.
I hope that the author continues this story some time. I've read it a couple times, and realized that I hadn't faved this story for some reason. maybe i read it while not logged in or something, but my fave and upvote are now in. I really do enjoy the archeological feel of the unearthed transcripts and notes. a scrap-book feel of the past.