Railways keen on using Kaveri engines developed by DRDO

[Thorough Pro]

Are we going to see flying trains soon?

Railways keen on using Kaveri engines developed by DRDO: Parliamentary Committee - The Economic Times


NEW DELHI: The Indian Railways has shown keen interest in the Kaveri engine, which is being developed for fighter aircraft, to power its trains, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has told a Parliamentary Committee.

"A request has come from the Indian Railways to know that whether Kaveri engines can be used for powering locomotives," DRDO told the Standing Committee on Defence.

In its report tabled in Parliament last week, the Committee said the DRDO has plans of producing Kaveri engine in large number in collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

DRDO officials told PTI that the Railways were showing keen interest in the programme as gas-turbine engines were the best and most fuel efficient.

"Though the engine is being developed for fighter aircraft, it can also be used on other platforms such as ships and heavy vehicles," they said.

Kaveri engine is being developed for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and for the future ventures of the DRDO in the field of aeronautics at its Bangalore-based lab Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GRTE).

The engine recently successfully completed its first test-bed flight test in Russia and has completed other stages of development, including component testing, safety tests, ground based and endurance tests.

The engine has been put through a series of more such tests both in Russia and GTRE facility to prove its reliability, airworthiness and safety.

In the last two decades, DRDO has has spent close to USD 455 million on development of the Kaveri engine.

The indigenous fighter aircraft engine programme was first started in 1986 but suffered delays and cost over-runs due to the technology denial regimes in the 90s.

 

[Alugaar]

Railways were showing keen interest in the programme as gas-turbine engines were the best and most fuel efficient.

they want gas turbine engines then whats the problem

if these engines are more fuel efficient then it help to reduce operational cost


But I think Indian Railways should concentrate on electric engines

 

[blackops]

Good soon trains will fly too

 

[Maritimer]

why don't we just combine GTRE and BHEL so they can design develop and manufacture gas turbine engines of any kind as 1 company?

Not a bad idea at all. BHEL is a large company with a huge balance sheet, GTRE will not face the funding problems. Also, being a Navratna, the management enjoys autonomy with less government interference. However, the focus on research may be compromised with BHEL's commercial bent. If such a merger is successful, why not do the same with HAL+NAL+ADE+CABS to create an integrated Aerospace company that can subsidize the research budget through profits from commercial operations?

 

[LiberalAtheist]

Not a bad idea at all. BHEL is a large company with a huge balance sheet, GTRE will not face the funding problems. Also, being a Navratna, the management enjoys autonomy with less government interference. However, the focus on research may be compromised with BHEL's commercial bent. If such a merger is successful, why not do the same with HAL+NAL+ADE+CABS to create an integrated Aerospace company that can subsidize the research budget through profits from commercial operations?

yeah combine NAL HAL ADA and all the DRDO aeronautics R&D labs into 1 giant aerospace defense company like Boeing or UAC that produces fighters, UAV's, helicopters, Trainers, transport aircraft, airliners, AWACS, etc that could be privately owned or state run or a joint stock company

all the DRDO electronics R&D labs can be merged with BEL that produce Radars, EW systems, avionics, IRST, etc


the more we privatize our defense industry the better!

 

[indiatech]

GTRE will now suck the blood of BHEL. Keep BHEL away from GTRE.

 

[somebozo]

Soviets already tried that and failed. Someone has studied too much soviet magazines at Indian railways to build a taste for exotic experiment

 

[Tshering22]

Soviets already tried that and failed. Someone has studied too much soviet magazines at Indian railways to build a taste for exotic experiment

No harm in trying it still? Soviets tried it at a time when easier facilitating technology was not available. Who knows it might succeed. Worth a try if it reaps a rich dividend isn't it? Which business doesn't have risks afterall?

 

[INDIAISM]

Soviets already tried that and failed. Someone has studied too much soviet magazines at Indian railways to build a taste for exotic experiment

locomotive
Canadian Press ^ | October 13, 2002 | ALLAN SWIFT
Posted on Mon 14 Oct 2002 11:43:46 AM CST by Black Powder
MONTREAL (CP) - Canada's Bombardier Inc. will roll out this week - in Washington - a jet engine-powered locomotive it has been quietly developing for years in partnership with the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration.
Bombardier believes its 240-kilometres-an-hour JetTrain is the answer to providing high-speed rail service throughout North America using existing track and without the prohibitive cost of electrifying rail networks.
It calls JetTrain the first high-speed, non-electric locomotive designed for the North American market.
It uses a turbine engine to generate power, instead of the diesel engine used in nearly all locomotives in North America for the past 40 years.
Spokesman Warren Flatau of the Railroad Administration said the agency has invested $13 million US in developing the turbine-powered locomotive since about 1997. With Bombardier matching that, JetTrain has cost at least $41 million Cdn so far.
Flatau said JetTrain is just one of several initiatives under that governments and private companies have been exploring as a solution to growing highway congestion in several inter-city corridors in the United States and Canada.
He said the Railroad Administration can't endorsea commercial product "but Bombardier is the company that stepped up to the plate when we put out the word we were interested in doing thisproject. We believe that the project holds great potential for bringing about the high speed services that people across the country are expressing a desire for."
Flatau said Bombardier and Amtrak are next going to show off the train at various sites where authorities are pushing for high-speed, inter-city service.
He said he doesn't know if it will travel to Canada. Via Rail has just handed in a report requested by Transport Minister David Collenette on how to speed up rail service in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor. Via's best trains reach 150 km/h where track quality permits.
However, as Bombardier Transportation executives show off the 21-metre-long prototype to authorities at Washington's Union Station on Tuesday, Amtrak officials could be excused for a certain skepticism.
Amtrak and Bombardier are in a nasty legal battle over the trouble-plagued Acela Express high-speed electric train recently introduced on the northeast corridor linking Boston, New York and Washington.
There has been a rash of train delays and breakdowns with Acela, the first high-speed trainservice in North America. Amtrak ordered 18 fromBombardier and its French partner Alstom, and 15have been delivered.
Although the train is popular thanks to its speed and comfort, Amtrak has vowed never to buy another.
The JetTrain locomotive develops 5,000 horsepower, with about half the weight of some current diesel freight locomotives. Flatau also said it's quiet and has "rather remarkable acceleration capabilities."
Ross Capon, executive director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, said he is not aware of any non-electric locomotive in service that can reach 240 km/h.
Capon said the big question for JetTrain's market success is how much it costs and how much fuel it requires. "That's going to be one of the main issues."
It is not the first time a jet turbine has been used to move a train.
Jerome Pier, a consultant on the Bombardier design, said there are seven trains operating since 1977 in New York State using jet turbines incorporated into coaches.
Pier, owner of a private consulting group based atCarlisle, Ont., said the "power-car" trains have 3,000 horsepower each, not enough to reach highspeeds. He said the JetTrain breaks new ground by its power and speed.
Best known as propulsion engines for jet aircraft, turbines are also adapted to drive backup electrical generators for utilities and to power pipelines.
The JetTrain prototype was assembled at Bombardier's plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

 

[INDIAISM]

^^Now he won't Say any thing against Indian Railway for trying Jet Engine to power their locomotive why because for him

'''America ya China kare to Chamatkaar aur hum kare to Paisa Bekaar'''


Btw i think this is a nice initiative on behalf of Indian Railway if succeded then it will do wonders for Kaveri engine...Don't forget guys Indian Railway is Profit making organisation..so if they found it successfull then they won't hesitate in investing in future R&D of Kaveri engine.. not only this...multi use of jet engine will also encourage Private sector to invest in this sector...

 

[Abingdonboy]

pretty soon the Kaveri will be put on tractors and automatic rickshaws before the LCAMK2 or AMCA

Oh man... earlier it was Naval warships being powered and used, now railways. Wonder when will AMCA get it. We're getting results in all areas except the main purpose of Kaveri.

Kaveri getting applications in many Projects except the original intended one

I don't understand this view- putting the engine to these uses is not a either or case, it can be used for as many applications as possible. DRDO aren't going to divert resources away from LCA integration to railway project, surely it's a good thing the Kaveri is put to as many uses as possible- if anything to try and recoup the R&D costs.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Are those supposed to be gas turbine engines or something? I have a hard time visualizing trains propelled by jet engines.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Here is the Naval one

The Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine


Spin off from the Kaveri for Tejas, now another spin off. lol

 

[Abingdonboy]

pretty soon the Kaveri will be put on tractors and automatic rickshaws before the LCAMK2 or AMCA

Oh man... earlier it was Naval warships being powered and used, now railways. Wonder when will AMCA get it. We're getting results in all areas except the main purpose of Kaveri.

Here is the Naval one

The Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine

Thanks for the pics, any idea on induction time line?

 

[Roybot]