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High performance EMU vs. Turbo train

In Japan, all high speed trains are using the distributed traction system to overcome the mountainous route. So that the high performance EMSs are developed. To understand their high performance, design the imaginary EMU comparable to Shinkansen series 500 or series N700.
Start notchman mini and input following data.
shinkansen series 500like emu
The train consists of all motive cars, each has the output of 1200 kW. This value is comparable to Shinkansen series 500, series N700 and N700-i bullet.
In the free version, the starting traction cannot be modified. So that the series N700like high accelerating performance at the low speed range cannot be simulated.


shinkansen series 500like emu

The created train's specification is shown below. The total output is somewhat (140 kW) lower than N700-i bullet but the total mass is 15 tons lighter.
shinkansen series 500like emu

The performance curve is shown below.
shinkansen series 500like emu performance curve
As mentioned above, the starting traction cannot be modified and this train's starting acceleration is about 25% lower than N700-i bullet.
The original JetTrain (green curve) is no match for this train. The locomotive equipped with the Mercury 50 class gas turbine (red curve) still cannot rival this EMU for the acceleration.
Comparison of emu and turbine locomotive
To rival this high performance EMU, more high power locomotives are required.
The next is the performance comparison of 7000 kW locomotives.

The basic consist is the same as that of JetTrain, 2L7T (2 locomotives, 7 passenger cars).
The red curve is 7000 kW turbine locomotive with electric traction.
The green curve is 7000 kW direct drive locomotive.
The blue curve is 7000 kW direct drive locomotive with two speed gear. This may be able to rival the high performance EMUs. But there is no precedence of two speed gear transmission in such a high power application. So its realizability is unclear.

The simulated result at the same route of scenario 1 is shown below. The color of each train is changed in this graph.
The black running curve is the high performance EMUs.
The green running curve is 7000 kW turbine locomotive with electric traction .
The blue running curve is 7000 kW direct drive turbine locomotive.
The dark red running curve is 7000 kW direct drive turbine locomotive with two speed gear.



The traveling time table stopping at intermediate 2 stations is below.

As is expected, the 2 speed gear direct drive and the turbine electric locomotives are doing well, almost the same traveling time in both operating pattern.
The concentrated traction system requires high power locomotives to enable the high speed cruising and the high acceleration. In above cases, 7 cars can carry passengers and 2 locomotives are the dead space.

The next is the simulation of the distributed turbine traction. The maximum speed is upgraded to 360 km/h as all trains have enough performance.
The yellow curve represents the performance of the high performance EMUs, 1200 kW each car and all motive. The new technology to realize this performance is not necessary.
The green curve represents the performance of the turbine electric railcar each equipped with 1500 kW turbine generator and all motive. The development of 1500 kW recuperated turbine generator is required.
The next two trains are designed on the assumption that the next generation M1 Abrams power pack is mass produced. The power pack is assumed as LV-100 gas turbine with four speed gear-box. The simulated engine's thermal efficiency is close to that of LV-100, 37.5%.
The red curve represents the performance of all motive car with 1120 kW direct drive turbine four speed traction system.
The blue curve represents the performance of 4 motive car, each equipped with two 1120 kW four speed direct drive traction systems and 3 trailer cars.
360km/h turbine operation

The simulated result at the same route of scenario 1 is shown below. The color of each train is changed in this graph.
The black running curve is the 7M high performance EMUs.
The green running curve is the 7M 1500 kW turbine electric traction.
The blue running curve is the 4M3T 2240 kW four speed direct drive traction.
The dark red running curve is the 7M 1120 kW four speed direct drive traction.

360km/h turbine operation
The turbine electric traction performs better than the EMUs due to its high accelerating force at the low speed range.
This feature especially affects the traveling time when there are many intermediate stopping stations.
360km/h turbine operation
Even the 1120 kW direct drive turbo train can run faster in this condition. The next graph shows the acceleration details at the starting.

The running curve stopping at intermediate 2 stations is below.360km/h turbine operation
The traveling time table stopping at intermediate 2 stations is below.360km/h turbine operation

The distributied gas turbine traction system is useful where the high performance equal to the electric traction is required without electrification. If the next generation main battle tank engine is developed, it also will be able to be a good power source of trains. 
 

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