LOCOMOTIVE TRACTION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

The tonnage rating of a modern locomotive, the maximum train weight it is capable of hauling over a given line without undue risk of stalling, is primarily limited by track adhesion considerations rather than by limitations in the locomotive itself. The maximum tonnage ratings of two locomotives are thus in direct proportion to their maximum tractive efforts when operating on identical track adhesion conditions. Establishing this tractive effort ratio by direct measurement has proven difficult due to unpredictable track adhesion variations. These introduce a great deal of scatter in the tractive effort measurements. A test and analysis method which takes track adhesion variation into account is presented. This method allows the relative hauling capability of two different locomotive types to be evaluated quickly and accurately. Typical test results are presented. Correlation of results with recent operating experience is outlined.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by the Rail Transportation Division of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers for presentation at the IEEE-ASME Joint Railroad Conference, San Francisco, California, April 15-17, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Scott, W M
  • Skene, R B
  • Biglow, B A
• Publication Date: 1975-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 11 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesion; Locomotives; Performance tests; Tonnage ratings; Train track dynamics; Trucks; Vehicle design; Wheel slip
• Old TRIS Terms: Locomotive design
• Subject Areas: Design; Motor Carriers; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00095228
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: 75-RT-8
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 2 1975 12:00AM