The common theme in this post is "logical extensions of existing technology that failed."  There's a related theme also worthy of study, called "anticipations of technologies not yet available."  Consider a slight variation in putting the steam power plant on wheels.  Instead of imitating the electric generating station with a steam or pulverized coal turbine, use a maritime-style inline engine to turn the alternator.  (More details at Mr Self's site.)

The biggest difficulty in an electric transmission locomotive is matching the output of the power source to the load placed on the generator or alternator.  That problem was solved a few years later with the maritime inline steam engine giving way to a Diesel...

Stephen Karlson ATTITUDE is a nine letter word. BOATSPEED.