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Offline ixldoc  
#1 Posted : 29 May 2017 11:38:14(UTC)
ixldoc

Australia   
Joined: 18/11/2015(UTC)
Posts: 220
Location: Brisbane,Australia
Hi all, some more model railway fun.
Woomera rocket pad and testing range is the largest in the world at 188 km square.It is operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Postal address : PO Box 1, Where The F***, South Australia.
300px-Woomera_Test_Range_map.svg.png

The RAAF recently tendered for a new remote control searchlight for use on the range, to be transported by rail with accompanying generator and control vehicle.
Keen to be part of this, I designed a new light to be carried in a well wagon.
Searchlight.jpg
Searchlight C.jpg

South Australia has an adventurous aspiration of achieving a 50/50 renewable energy target which has so far only caused massive blackouts across the state on a couple of occasions.
These are preventable if no air conditioning is used until the ambient temperature is above 40 degrees C and all lights and refrigerators are turned off at 10 pm.
With this in mind I proposed a small auto tracking solar array as the power source.The associated battery ( size dictated by the support wagon) was able to supply the light for 19 minutes.
This was considered a little short of requirements. During sunlight the light worked admirably, but as the RAAF pointed out, they had no immediate use for a daytime searchlight.
Solar generator 1.jpg
Solar generator 2.jpg
Solar generator 3.jpg
Searchlight battery.jpg
Searchlight battery A.jpg

A compact high speed wind generator was rejected on the basis of uncertainty of wind and the short battery life.
The associated dental drill whine was noted and the risk of operator decapitation.
Wind generator 1.jpg
Wind generator 2.jpg

My next proposal was a small diesel generator. This produced not only electricity but massive outrage to do with evil polluting exhaust, noise and large dark spots on the South Australian desert.
Support vehicle with diesel generator.jpg

Undaunted, I designed and presented a small high efficiency coal fired steam turbine generator.
Steam Turbine Generator 1.jpg
Steam Turbine Generator 1B.jpg
Steam Turbine generator 1D.jpg
Steam Turbine generator 1F.jpg

I was unprepared for the vitriol expressed regarding coal ( the instrument of Satan), increase in air pollution by .0001% added to Australia's deplorable .05% of world pollution, and a waste of coal reserves.
My plea that we have the largest reserves of high quality coking coal in the world fell on deaf ears.
My next design was a high pressure natural gas fired steam turbine generator, based on very low emissions and Australia having vast natural gas reserves.
Steam Turbine Generator 2.jpg
Steam Turbine Generator 2A.jpg
Steam Turbine Generator 2B.jpg

Unfortunately apparently all our natural gas is exported leaving a dire shortage for domestic use. This design was shelved for consideration though.
As Australia sits on large uranium ( yellow cake) deposits, I bravely designed and presented a miniature nuclear powered high speed turbine generator.
The depleted fuel was so small it could be stored in a lead thimble under the bed.
Steam Turbine Generator 3F.jpg
Steam Turbine Generator 3B.jpg
Steam Turbine Generator 3A.jpg

I was dismayed to receive an immediate noisy visit from the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, largely to do with building a nuclear device in my train room.
The fatwa imposed by the Greens also came as a nasty shock.
A wave motion machine was not feasible in the desert.
The breakthrough came when I realised the vast amounts of hot air generated in Parliament in Canberra could be stored in pressurised canisters and used in a Stirling type engine driving a generator.
This met with instant approval as the fuel source is guaranteed and produces no observable effects.
Stirling engine 1.jpg
Stirling engine 2.jpg
Stirling engine 3.jpg
Hot air cylinder 3.jpg
Hot air cylinder 2.jpg
Hot air cylinder 1.jpg

A modified Kof11 designated KSBE ( Kleinlok Solar Batterie Elektrische) provided the motive power.
Solar Kof.jpg

Sorry but the loco is Brawa.

Cheers,
Howard.
















thanks 17 users liked this useful post by ixldoc
Online PJMärklin  
#2 Posted : 29 May 2017 12:54:15(UTC)
PJMärklin

Australia   
Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC)
Posts: 2,206
Location: Hobart, Australia
Originally Posted by: ixldoc Go to Quoted Post
Hi all, some more model railway fun.
Woomera rocket pad and testing range is the largest in the world at 188 km square.It is operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Postal address : PO Box 1, Where The F***, South Australia.

The RAAF recently tendered for a new remote control searchlight for use on the range, to be transported by rail with accompanying generator and control vehicle.
Keen to be part of this, I designed ...............

Cheers,
Howard.


Great stuff Howard, I enjoyed it !!

Is there a proposed rail link from Canberra to the Woomera Range?

Regards,


PJ
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by PJMärklin
Offline ixldoc  
#3 Posted : 30 May 2017 03:29:27(UTC)
ixldoc

Australia   
Joined: 18/11/2015(UTC)
Posts: 220
Location: Brisbane,Australia
Hi PJ,
Yes a track is planned but the loco has to change at the border to a solar powered engine.
Disturbing snake habitats is also an issue.
Regards,
Howard.
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by ixldoc
Online PJMärklin  
#4 Posted : 30 May 2017 07:43:11(UTC)
PJMärklin

Australia   
Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC)
Posts: 2,206
Location: Hobart, Australia

Originally Posted by: ixldoc Go to Quoted Post


Great stuff Howard, I enjoyed it !!
Is there a proposed rail link from Canberra to the Woomera Range?
Regards,
PJ


Hi PJ,
Yes a track is planned but the loco has to change at the border to a solar powered engine.
Disturbing snake habitats is also an issue.
Regards,
Howard.


Thanks for the inside information Howard.Wink

One more question :

Originally Posted by: ixldoc Go to Quoted Post
Hi PJ,
Disturbing snake habitats is also an issue....


To which end of the proposed new line do you refer?LOL

Regards,

PJ
Offline ixldoc  
#5 Posted : 30 May 2017 08:13:02(UTC)
ixldoc

Australia   
Joined: 18/11/2015(UTC)
Posts: 220
Location: Brisbane,Australia
The DARK SIDE !
No offence to SA forum members.
Howard.
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by ixldoc
Offline hxmiesa  
#6 Posted : 30 May 2017 09:59:44(UTC)
hxmiesa

Spain   
Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC)
Posts: 3,519
Location: Spain
Heh... "daytime searchlight"... :-)
Lego element spotted!
Best regards
Henrik Hoexbroe ("The Dane In Spain")
http://hoexbroe.tripod.com
Offline ixldoc  
#7 Posted : 30 May 2017 13:55:23(UTC)
ixldoc

Australia   
Joined: 18/11/2015(UTC)
Posts: 220
Location: Brisbane,Australia
Hi Henrik,
Well spotted!
Cheers,
Howard.
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