TRACTION STUDIES OF NORTHEAST CORRIDOR RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This summarizes 12 letter reports issued as part of a study of Northeast Corridor rail passenger operations carried out by JPL under contract to FRA. It was concluded that the AEM7 electric locomotive and existing Metroliners have sufficient power; an increase in allowable speed does not decrease trip time appreciably but does increase energy use. Trip time is constrained by route configuration and track condition; it would be most effective to improve track so that low speeds could be raised. The use of body tilt and the effect of a low power factor and minimum speed were also appraised. While locomotive-hauled trains can meet legislated time goals in NEC, Metroliner multiple-unit cars would have greater flexibility. Several advantages of AC over DC traction were also determined.

• Corporate Authors:

  Jet Propulsion Laboratory

  California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive
  Pasadena, CA  United States  91103

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Macie, T W
  • Stallkamp, J A
• Publication Date: 1980-3-15

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 57 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Active suspension systems; Electric locomotives; Electric multiple unit cars; Power factor (Electricity); Propulsion; Railroad electrification; Tilting trains; Train operations; Vehicle power plants
• Identifier Terms: Metroliner (Express train)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Propulsion systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Power factor; Train performance
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00314903
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: JPL Pub. 80-3, NASA-CR-162997
• Contract Numbers: NAS7-100
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 1980 12:00AM