Evolution of the impellent installations train locomotives in Ukraine and the world: historical aspects

Abstract

The studying of particular aspects of railway transport development on the territory of Ukraine and training of railwaymen was carried out in the article. It is given a retrospective review of locomotive building from the first steam engines to modern gas engines, the formation of a railway transportation of the future. Modern configuration of Ukrainian railways network basically was formed even in the Russian Empire, because of good geographical position of the region, its natural resources. The authors have considered several options to enhance the functioning and reducing the cost of fuel and energy in the total railways operating costs. The analysis of data on the total steam locomotive production plants of the Russian Empire shows that the largest output number of steam locomotives was in Kharkiv. It should be noted that the main problem for Ukrainian Railways at the present time is not so much the reduction in the locomotive fleet as whole and significant equipment deterioration. The analysis of the average rolling stock per year production indicates substantial underutilization of the country's railways potential in the XXI century. More preferred may be a variant of development of multi-train locomotive. The research results proved that the steam machine can run on any fuel that burns: peat, coal, crude oil, fuel oil, firewood, etc. The present level of science and technology with using new technological solutions makes it possible to come back to the idea of the steam engine, as in the energy and transport. Kharkiv with its unique industrial base and scientific school can become a leader in the formation of clean and waste-free energy and railway transport of Ukraine.