What to do with surplus gravel hoppers % other freight cars?

Use them like batteries to store energy!

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_an ... orage.html

Push (or pull) them up hill when energy demand is low and there is surplus power being generated

Let 'em fly down that hill and generate electricity during times of high demand!

Potential Energy > Kinetic Energy, just like you learned in 5th grade!

But it takes more energy to get the cars to the top of the hill.

mmi16 wrote:But it takes more energy to get the cars to the top of the hill.

And it takes more energy to pump water to a water tower than directly to your house, but the key phrase above is:

Push (or pull) them up hill when energy demand is low and there is surplus power being generated

So in the middle of the night (or whenever) when there is plenty of surplus power available, you get 'em up to the top. When energy demands are high, you let 'em go and use them to power the grid some. Sure, you lose some of the total energy, but by moving demand from offpeak and raising supply at peak, you come out ahead.

Rbts Stn wrote:Use them like batteries to store energy!

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_an" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... orage.html

Push (or pull) them up hill when energy demand is low and there is surplus power being generated

Let 'em fly down that hill and generate electricity during times of high demand!

Potential Energy > Kinetic Energy, just like you learned in 5th grade!

Most roads put there cars in dead lines till needed again or they cut them up for scrap if the price is right.