>>2017351I mean there are definitely places where wires can and probably should be strung up like the long tunnels and grades in the Cascades, Rockies and Sierras. If power sharing from diesels to battery slugs is possible, it should be possible to do it the other way. This would allow them to idle or shut off the diesels and save fuel.
There are trolley-assist mining trucks and this would be the same concept with a different application.
Generating infrastructure could be a problem, but a big marine engine HVAC or HVDC feeder lines would allow feed from other locations. Flywheels/super-capacitors would allow for some energy regeneration and reduce generating requirements.
>>2017378Western Australian iron ore trains have a special set of circumstances. They're very heavy going downhill but much lighter uphill.
So you can generate more energy than used from converting potential energy into kinetic energy. Full electrification is likely uneconomical as they're in the boonies, the distance to electrify is long and mines run out of ore eventually.
So yeah, sets combining battery locomotives with normal diesels will likely work pretty well.
