TRAIN PERFORMANCE SIMULATOR

The TPS computer program may be used to estimate motive power requirement and train running times, to analyze the effect on train performance of curves, grades, speed restrictions and station stops, and to compare alternative plans for line changes or new rail lines. The program includes several new features: (1) look-ahead braking detects stops and speed restrictions in advance and brakes the train accordingly; (2) route information necessary for a simulation is input on only one or two cards; (3) the locomotive and train consist information for each run can be input on one card; (4) changes in locomotives, train consists, station stop time, speed limits, elevation (gradient) and curvature may be made during a simulation run; (5) tonnage ratings can be developed for a route by specifying an option which makes iterative runs over the ruling grade. The simulation program, written in FORTRAN takes into account grades, curves, speed restrictions, station stops, wind speed and direction, train resistance and locomotive tractive effort, braking and fuel consumption characteristics. A train is considered a line rather than a point and is divided into sections with the center of gravity and the resistance being computed separately for each section. This technique provides more accurate results, especially on lines with rolling profiles where different sections of the train may be on varying gradients. Track data for all MoPac System main lines and many branches have been coded and stored permanently on a resident disc pack available to the TPS program. Track data not available on disc may be read in on cards.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Direct requests to Industrial Engineering Division, MoPac Railroad. A user manual is available upon request.
• Corporate Authors:

  Missouri Pacific Railroad Company

  Missouri Pacific Building, 210 North 13th Street
  St Louis, MO  United States  63103
• Publication Date: 1978-3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Locomotive utilization; Simulation; Train operations
• Identifier Terms: FORTRAN (Computer program language)
• Old TRIS Terms: Operating strategies; Train performance
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00131771
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Missouri Pacific Railroad Company
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 14 1976 12:00AM