Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

looking for Bruce

1313 views
1 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2001
  • From: US
  • 1,720 posts
Posted by MAbruce on Tuesday, July 1, 2003 3:15 PM
Hi Jeremy,

I actually put this answer in the original thread, but am happy to repeat it here.

As a freight car moves through a curve, more of the wheel comes in contact with the rail, which causes more friction (or drag). There's not much you can do about it as you are dealing the law of physics. Real trains have to deal with the same problem.

It's sort of like when a train is going up a grade (incline). The load becomes heavier for the locos, so more power is needed to keep up the same speed. That's why you see several locos in front of a train. When the train is running on flat straight rails, not as much power is needed to keep it going. But as soon as you hit a grade, or a curve, or worse - a curve on a grade, then more power is needed (and the other locos are needed to help out).

I hope this explains it.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 1,745 posts
looking for Bruce
Posted by JeremyB on Tuesday, July 1, 2003 12:56 PM
hey bruce

you mentioned in my last post that freight trains can cause a speed drop when going into curves,i have this problem,whta causes this?

jeremy

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!