Luxuriousmoth1 t1_iwn5vgf wrote on November 16, 2022 at 9:42 PM

In Back to the Future part 3, the gang is forced to hijack a train to push the DeLorean up to 88mph after it's gasoline fuel tanks are accidentally punctured and emptied.

However, the train is only needed to get the DeLorean up to speed. The time circuits are powered by electricity, which the Mr. Fusion reactor is still able to provide.

Instead of a train, could they have used electric motors of the era (1885) to push the 2700lb DeLorean up to 88mph?

ukezi t1_iwo0flu wrote on November 17, 2022 at 1:29 AM

The first diesel engines were build in the 1890s so that is out. Also they were great cast iron motors, probably heavier then the car, with quite low power.

I think his best bet would have been to patch up the tank and use ethanol as fuel.

atomfullerene t1_iwql5qc wrote on November 17, 2022 at 4:45 PM

I don't think so. Electric motors were still quite primitive at the time. Also it would probably be very difficult to actually get one out in the west. Trains were much more accessible.

Edgar-Allan-Pho t1_iwowkcs wrote on November 17, 2022 at 6:20 AM

High acv alcohol (whiskey,vodka,moonshine, etc) strung up in a can or bottle with the fuel hose connected would of been just fine for a temporary fuel source.

Electric motors were extremely inefficient then and having the means to connect them to the power train or wheels would of been a ton of work that would require a forge, precise engineering and hundreds of hours of work.

Then there's the batteries, they would of needed a ton of amperage go get up to 88mph so a couple hundred pounds of batteries, they could of stolen them but that's a lot of batteries