Imaginary Locomotives

[Deeps]

8 minutes ago, The Johnster said:

Most interesting and an illuminating comment, thanks Deeps.  I’m assuming that the reactor, once commissioned, runs more or less continually until it is decommissioned at the end of the boat’s service, and supplies all the electrical needs of the boat once it is at sea, and that the backup diesel powerplant drives a generator in the same way as on a loco of it is ever needed, but surely that would compromise the boat’s ability to stay submerged and quiet (don’t answer if any of this skirts the boundaries of Official Secrets!)?  

 

The reactor is not always critical as it will be shutdown when alongside, with an electrical shore supply connected for various services onboard. However, if the boat needs to move to another wharf, whilst the reactor is shutdown, and shore services will need to be temporarily disconnected, then the diesel(s) will be flashed up to support essential services. It takes several days to get a the reactor flashed up from a cold state so this would not be practical for such a move.

 

The diesels do indeed drive generators; 2 DC ones on Fleet Boats and on the Tridents one DC and one AC. The main battery is the first ‘back up’ if reactor power is lost at sea, due to a reactor ‘Scram’, and can support essential services for a limited time until the reactor is back on line. This allows the boat to stay submerged and quiet.

 

If the shutdown is protracted then it will be necessary to run diesels to recharge the battery. This can be done with the boat at periscope depth, using a snorkel, but the stealth element will obviously be compromised.