Random Thoughts 7

[jack action]

I could see 1200 hp, maybe. Back in the 1970s/1980s, the standard railroad locomotive was 3000 hp (2,200 kW), e.g., EMDs GP40/GP40-2 (4 axle) and SD40/SD40-2 (6 axle) with a V16 turbocharged 16-645E3 diesel motor. Competitors were GE's U30B/U30C and ALCO's C430/C630, respectively.

Get ready to be amazed:

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It runs on nitromethane which is, IIRC, 53% oxygen. And then the air-fuel mixture is compressed before going into the engine.

There is so much fuel in the cylinder that it is on the verge of hydrolock. Long story short, you get 1000 bar pressure on the piston!

​

 

[fresh_42]

This part of the discussion reminds me of a short dialogue I once had with my brother-in-law, John.

Me: "Why are you so obsessed with horsepower? You aren't allowed to drive fast. 50hp would do on your roads."
John: "Yes. That's why we at least want to be fast at the traffic lights."

Needless to say, he enjoyed driving around on German autobahns.

 

[gmax137]

I still want to hear from the EEs. How do you hot rod an electric motor? How do you take your 400 hp Tesla to 800 hp?

 

[gmax137]

You aren't allowed to drive fast. 50hp would do on your roads."

Yes, but generally, there's no legal limit to how long it takes you reach to the posted speed. Acceleration is above the law, lol.

 

[gleem]

Acceleration is above the law, lol.

Maybe the law but not the insurance companies. I recently learned that some apps on your phone can monitor your speed and acceleration and make this info available to insurance companies. Jackrabbit starts are considered a sign of a risky driver.

 

[WWGD]

When you see a history book written by someone named " Victor", it just reinforces the stereotype.

 

[fresh_42]

When you see a history book written by someone named " Victor", it just reinforces the stereotype.

It depends.

Esmeralda: What is your name?
Butch: Butch.
Esmeralda: What does it mean?
Butch: I'm American, honey. Our names don't mean s***.

 

[gmax137]

When you see a history book written by someone named " Victor", it just reinforces the stereotype.

That didn't click until I stopped trying to figure it out.

 

[WWGD]

Ah, the pro -electric crowd. Reminds me of another group

 

[fresh_42]

When you see a history book written by someone named " Victor", it just reinforces the stereotype.

I think it is more than a stereotype.

 

[BillTre]

I think it is more than a stereotype.

Winner gets to keep score.

 

[fresh_42]

Winner gets to keep score.

The German version is nicer: "Wer schreibt, der bleibt." (who writes (the scores) stays (at the table))

 

[WWGD]

The joke goes , the USSR was the only country with an unpredictable past. I suspect the same is the case with most countries, depending on the mood, politics of the day.

 

[WWGD]

That didn't click until I stopped trying to figure it out.

" History is written by the (V)ictors".
I admit it was obscure.

 

[pinball1970]

England v USA in the Cricket world cup right now and we are at the crease. May the best man win guys.

 

[WWGD]

England v USA in the Cricket world cup right now and we are at the crease. May the best man win guys.

I gave up long ago trying to figure out whether England, Scotland, Wales, were countries and why they don't have a single team for the whole of the UK.

 

[russ_watters]

I still want to hear from the EEs. How do you hot rod an electric motor? How do you take your 400 hp Tesla to 800 hp?

Electric motors output whatever you tell them to or die trying. 400hp and 800hp are just ratings, based on duty cycle. You can rate a motor for a lot higher output if you only plan on running it for 10 seconds at a time vs for hours at a time.

That's what Tesla's "ludicrous" mode does; it just ups the demand (torque) by 60%

 

[BillTre]

I gave up long ago trying to figure out whether England, Scotland, Wales, were countries and why they don't have a single team for the whole of the UK.

The would be like the states where I have lived (Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, Oregon, and California, and also DC but, not a state) each having a team for the Cricket world cup.
However, it looks like an all US final four would be possible!

 

[WWGD]

The would be like the states where I have lived (Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, Oregon, and California, and also DC but, not a state) each having a team for the Cricket world cup.
However, it looks like an all US final four would be possible!

I wasn't aware cricket was so popular in the US. Thougt it was more of a Commonwealth thing.

 

[BillTre]

Many sports are becoming more international.
I would guess a lot of it is money driven.
You'd have to clone yourself if you wanted to watch everything.

 

[WWGD]

Many sports are becoming more international.
I would guess a lot of it is money driven.
You'd have to clone yourself if you wanted to watch everything.

There are hundreds of other rabbit holes in TV: Gardening, Cooking, Cartoons, etc. 50+ channels of each. You can spend your whole day watching them with the right cable lineup.

 

[BillTre]

There are hundreds of other rabbit holes in TV: Gardening, Cooking, Cartoons, etc. 50+ channels of each. You can spend your whole day watching them with the right cable lineup.

Each getting smaller audiences too I would guess.

 

[WWGD]

Each getting smaller audiences too I would guess.

Likely. They'll slice and dice and include it in some package or another. I want my Babylonian left handed puppetry, I'll find it in one of the 500 packages.

 

[WWGD]

What is it with these British bands pronouncing ' favor' as Weber, but with German pronounciation, i.e.,( Sounds like)." Do me a Vaber".

 

[WWGD]

I wonder about the assumption behind " If I can do it, you surely can too". Are they implying their life is extremely harsh, or that they're particularly inept?

 

[gleem]

You hear that a lot from people who seem to do extraordinary things like starting a company. I think they feel they are not especially gifted and feel average and therefore anybody or most can do what they do. I do not believe that these people are average.

 

[jack action]

I wonder about the assumption behind " If I can do it, you surely can too". Are they implying their life is extremely harsh, or that they're particularly inept?

The worst are women insulting men by calling them ... women. Each time I'm confused about what it means about them. This line from Forgetting Sarah Marshall always baffles me: "I can see your vagina from here!"

​

 

[WWGD]

The worst are women insulting men by calling them ... women. Each time I'm confused about what it means about them. This line from Forgetting Sarah Marshall always baffles me: "I can see your vagina from here!"

​

Have you seen the channels showing physical fights of women against men, where women say the gender differences are " just a construct"*
and fight men in MMA or Boxing matches? Many have gotten seriously pummeled. Those constructs often pack quite a punch.
* Is there anything that isn't?

 

[WWGD]

This seemed interesting :

 

[BillTre]

You hear that a lot from people who seem to do extraordinary things like starting a company. I think they feel they are not especially gifted and feel average and therefore anybody or most can do what they do. I do not believe that these people are average.

I have done things that are not exceedingly difficult but take forethought and persistence to bring to fruition, like getting some research building built on time and on budget. It merely took funding, having a well-defined plan, and being able to work well with others. These are not extra special human traits. Any reasonably intelligent, well informed, and determined person could do it.

There is no way I could not go out and play major league baseball. That would take special traits that I can not reasonably expect to acquire.

 

[WWGD]

I have done things that are not exceedingly difficult but take forethought and persistence to bring to fruition, like getting some research building built on time and on budget. It merely took funding, having a well-defined plan, and being able to work well with others. These are not extra special human traits. Any reasonably intelligent, well informed, and determined person could do it.

There is no way I could not go out and play major league baseball. That would take special traits that I can not reasonably expect to acquire.

Agree, though there are people who seem to have a level of drive, initiative, that is several sigma above the mean. I'm thinking of the likes of Musk, Bezos, Gates.

 

[pinball1970]

I gave up long ago trying to figure out whether England, Scotland, Wales, were countries and why they don't have a single team for the whole of the UK.

As long as we win something. Looking at the Euro performances England will be eviscerated by one of the stronger teams.
Like Portugal who have a 39 and 41 year old in the starting 11!
And they are playing attacking football!

 

[fresh_42]

Let it be Denmark!

 

[WWGD]

As long as we win something. Looking at the Euro performances England will be eviscerated by one of the stronger teams.
Like Portugal who have a 39 and 41 year old in the starting 11!
And they are playing attacking football!

Well, people are playing Ice Hockey in Florida, where humidity is near 60%+, temperature above 60o most of the year.

 

[WWGD]

Let it be Denmark!

I had a ticket for the game. Can't remember: 2B or not 2B? Something rotten there. Ask Bill.

 

[fresh_42]

Well, people are playing Ice Hockey in Florida, where humidity is near 60%+, temperature above 60o most of the year.

As long as they lose tonight.

 

[WWGD]

As long as they lose tonight.

Wow, I barely follow Baseball. Bet that's the only one that you don't follow, right?

 

[fresh_42]

Wow, I barely follow Baseball. Bet that's the only one that you don't follow, right?

Right. I have no idea how it works and I don't want to know. Cricket and Baseball are lamer than Golf.

And the NBA. Last time I was watching there were Pippen, Jordan, and Bird playing.

 

[WWGD]

Right. I have no idea how it works and I don't want to know. Cricket and Baseball are lamer than Golf.

Golf broadcasters sound like they're on a respirator. Or the ones who make obscene phone calls. " It's a Birdie/ What are you wearing?" . Same voice.

 

[WWGD]

Golf broadcasters sound like they're on a respirator. Or the ones who make obscene phone calls. " It's a Birdie/ What are you wearing?" . Same voice.

But I do envy hardcore fans like you. All you need for a good time is a TV, a couple of iced beers. No need for more elaborate schemes.

 

[pinball1970]

Right. I have no idea how it works and I don't want to know. Cricket and Baseball are lamer than Golf.

And the NBA. Last time I was watching there were Pippen, Jordan, and Bird playing.

Cricket, test cricket at least is like a game of chess.

 

[fresh_42]

Cricket, test cricket at least is like a game of chess.

Over several days??? Chess has at least a clock. And no red sofa.

 

[pinball1970]

Over several days??? Chess has at least a clock. And no red sofa.

I was getting at the strategic part of the game. Plus, the techniques involved are amazing.
Bowling, batting and fielding all very different specialities.

 

[fresh_42]

I was getting at the strategic part of the game. Plus, the techniques involved are amazing.
Bowling, batting and fielding all very different specialities.

If it has to be a British sport, how about Hockey or Rugby (15)? @US-Readers: no, there is no "ice" in Hockey. I think I prefer it when something actually happens! Even chess has more action than Baseball.

 

[pinball1970]

If it has to be a British sport, how about Hockey or Rugby (15)? @US-Readers: no, there is no "ice" in Hockey. I think I prefer it when something actually happens! Even chess has more action than Baseball.

Its fine. If we England meet you at later stages it will be a bad result for us.
That is my prediction.

 

[Astronuc]

Flooding south of Mankato, Minnesota along the Blue Earth River.
https://news.yahoo.com/flooding-causes-rapidan-dam-near-162300062.html

The flow took out the switch yard and buildings on the west side of the dam. Across the road, there were several houses on a small peninsula, which likely flooded. Upstream, small towns are under flood warning. SW Minnesota and NW Iowa are having significant flooding due to heavy rainfall.

https://www.fox9.com/weather/live-updates-rapidan-dam-suffers-partial-failure-home-danger

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/06/24/iowa-minnesota-south-dakota-cope

https://news.yahoo.com/news/watch-flooded-blue-earth-river-223538719.html


Edit/update: Train bridge in North Sioux City partially collapsed from rising water
https://www.ktiv.com/2024/06/24/train-bridge-north-sioux-city-partially-collapsed-rising-water/

A major railroad bridge between Iowa and South Dakota partially collapsed into the Big Sioux River, and the remaining structure undermined and forced out of alignment. The bridge is used by BNSF railroad and was originally built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul & Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road).

https://www.argusleader.com/story/n...r-historic-rainfall-union-county/74190921007/

https://news.yahoo.com/news/sweltering-temperatures-persist-across-us-050838917.html

Edit/update2: The bridge washout at North Sioux City affects BNSF's Aberdeen Subdivision. Traffic from the region can be rerouted, but it will take longer to go points west or NW..

https://www.rtands.com/freight/class-1/bnsf-suffers-south-dakota-bridge-collapse/

 

[WWGD]

You know an actor/ public figure X is past their popularity prime when you enter their name into a search and the first suggestion is "Is X still alive"?

 

[Astronuc]

Company develops wildly simple solution for enormous fuel and pollution savings in shipping industry: 'On track for commercial deployment this year​

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/company-develops-wildly-simple-solution-073050038.html

Go slower.

The "Blue Visby Solution," which New Atlas referred to as "head-slappingly obvious," would have cargo ships simply change the way they operate their ships to save massive amounts of fuel, reducing carbon pollution by as much as 28%.

Currently, cargo ships use an operational practice known as "sail fast, then wait," which is exactly what it sounds like: They travel as quickly as possible from one port to the next and then spend as much as 8% of their time idling at anchor outside the port while they wait for their turn to dock and unload/load their cargo.

The Blue Visby Solution, developed by a consortium of experts in maritime technology and maritime law, would instead have ships coordinate with each and slow down, with each one arriving at port at its designated time. That way, the ships would burn less planet-overheating fuel while also reducing "hull fouling," the accumulation of algae and slime on the hull of a boat that sits stationary in the water.

 

[gmax137]

Company develops wildly simple solution for enormous fuel and pollution savings in shipping industry: 'On track for commercial deployment this year​

Go slower.

Wow, given the importance of fuel cost:

Fuel costs represent as much as 50-60% of total ship operating costs, depending on the type of ship and service.

it is hard to believe that the shipping companies don't have a team devoted to optimizing their operational practices. On the other hand, maybe they do, but there are "hidden" cost factors not obvious to us outsiders. Things like penalties for arriving late -- maybe they force the optimum practice to burn fuel and arrive early.

 

[Astronuc]

it is hard to believe that the shipping companies don't have a team devoted to optimizing their operational practices.

I was wondering that myself.

On the other hand, maybe they do, but there are "hidden" cost factors not obvious to us outsiders.

I imagine there is some impact by the ports themselves, such as when the railroads were having trouble clearing containers from the ports recently.

Things like penalties for arriving late -- maybe they force the optimum practice to burn fuel and arrive early.

I'm not versed in marine practices, but I would think there would be penalties for not arriving at one's assigned birth on time. It doesn't make sense to arrive at a port, usually outside, e.g., off the coast, and sit idle for days. I thought 'just-in-time' is the practice adopted by the different transportation companies.