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Number of Engines

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Number of Engines
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 21, 2003 12:08 PM
I know that RRs base the number of engines on the weight of the entire train and not the length, but can anyone tell where to find out how much weight per engine.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Number of Engines
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 21, 2003 12:08 PM
I know that RRs base the number of engines on the weight of the entire train and not the length, but can anyone tell where to find out how much weight per engine.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia
  • 825 posts
Posted by BentnoseWillie on Monday, July 21, 2003 12:21 PM
It's a bit tricky - each road usually gives a given locomotive type a tonnage rating for each operating region, based on the conditions in that region.

CN tends to run around 1HP per ton of train on the Champlain District between Mont-Joli, Quebec and Halifax, Nova Scotia - my "home" road. In flatter terrain, this goes down. In the mountains, it goes up.

Wish I had more to offer...
B-Dubya -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside every GE is an Alco trying to get out...apparently, through the exhaust stack!
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia
  • 825 posts
Posted by BentnoseWillie on Monday, July 21, 2003 12:21 PM
It's a bit tricky - each road usually gives a given locomotive type a tonnage rating for each operating region, based on the conditions in that region.

CN tends to run around 1HP per ton of train on the Champlain District between Mont-Joli, Quebec and Halifax, Nova Scotia - my "home" road. In flatter terrain, this goes down. In the mountains, it goes up.

Wish I had more to offer...
B-Dubya -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside every GE is an Alco trying to get out...apparently, through the exhaust stack!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 21, 2003 1:22 PM
There's also the factor of speed and equipment location. An SW7 will move alot of cars, but not very fast. That's why you see passange unit with 2 engines pulling 4 cars. Also, if railroad aren't careful they end up with all there locos at one end of their line because loaded cars require more power than empty returns. So they put extras on return train to get the power where they need it.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 21, 2003 1:22 PM
There's also the factor of speed and equipment location. An SW7 will move alot of cars, but not very fast. That's why you see passange unit with 2 engines pulling 4 cars. Also, if railroad aren't careful they end up with all there locos at one end of their line because loaded cars require more power than empty returns. So they put extras on return train to get the power where they need it.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 21, 2003 3:27 PM
There's also an issue of maximum drawbar pull. Couplers can an will break if too much stress is put on them. I know some roads have a maximum number of Axles allowed on the head end of the train, which will vary with geography. BNSF IIRC also rates AC motor and high adhesion units with a conversion factor (1.5 and 1.25 IIRC) to account for their higher tractive effort per axle.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 21, 2003 3:27 PM
There's also an issue of maximum drawbar pull. Couplers can an will break if too much stress is put on them. I know some roads have a maximum number of Axles allowed on the head end of the train, which will vary with geography. BNSF IIRC also rates AC motor and high adhesion units with a conversion factor (1.5 and 1.25 IIRC) to account for their higher tractive effort per axle.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 2:06 PM
bring me up to speed plz
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 2:06 PM
bring me up to speed plz
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 2:08 PM
HORSEPOWER
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 2:08 PM
HORSEPOWER

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