Hello everybody,
spend Saturday on a local self guided model layout tour. Had a great time and got to know some interesting people. One of these gentleman was someone that is a locomotive engineer for the Canadian Pacific. So this was a great opportunity to ask questions. One question was: "What is the slowest speed with which you brought a freight train into Guelph Junction." Guelph Junction is to the west of Toronto and it is the location where the double tracks split up and is also the crest of a short but steep climb. It-the grade- is the ruling grade for the line from Toronto to London as well.
The reply was a great surprise. I had expected 10 mph. He said the slowest he pulled a freight up the incline was .6 MPH. Yes it was only .6 MPH. Apparently he was out of sand on a cold wet fall day with over 7000 ton on the hook. The engine was shaking and rattling as it fought for traction but they made the entire run. I was surprised that the locomotive on board management did not shut the engine down.
Just had to share this with everybody.
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
da_kraut Hello everybody,The reply was a great surprise. I had expected 10 mph. He said the slowest he pulled a freight up the incline was .6 MPH. Yes it was only .6 MPH. Apparently he was out of sand on a cold wet fall day with over 7000 ton on the hook. The engine was shaking and rattling as it fought for traction but they made the entire run. I was surprised that the locomotive on board management did not shut the engine down.Just had to share this with everybody. Frank
Those AC4400's will dig in and pull at very low speeds Had he had SD9043MAC's or any DC locomotive, he would have stalled.
that is one of the advantages of an AC traction locomotive, they can pull at extremely low speeds for an unlimited time without damaging the traction motors. DC units just can't do that. Have heard numerous stories of trains getting below 1mph with AC units and not stalling out.
Bryan Jones
Bryan Jones DC units just can't do that.
DC units just can't do that.
Burn out the traction motors in a few seconds.
Yep, couldn't have said it better. The AC will dig in real well. The DC would slip up and burn out.
The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.