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World's first solar powered train
G'day,
A news report indicates that the world's first solar powered train has gone for the first run.
The two car DMU consisting of motor car 661 built 1973 and trailer car 726 built 1963.
The two cars were rebuilt at the Lithgow State Mine rail centre NSW.
Motor car 661 has had one of the diesel engines removed, but the other remains for back-up.
Numerous solar panels are implanted into the two car's roofs.
These supplying power to the traction motor.
Currently the train is working a 3 km restored section of the closed Murwillumbah branch in the far north of NSW.
There are some 1 in 40 grades on that branch, so it will be interesting to see if the two car set can eventually climb them.
If I get up that way, I will have to examine this development.
Steve.
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