If a passenger locomotive pulls more than the HEP allows, what would happen?
For example, Metro North has a locomotive called BL20GH even though it has 2200hp engine it can only pull three passenger cars. What would happen if it pulled four cars?
Most likely it would have noticeably slower acceleration and possibly lower top speed. That's assuming that four cars worth of HEP laod don't trip the HEP breaker.
zkr123 If a passenger locomotive pulls more than the HEP allows, what would happen? For example, Metro North has a locomotive called BL20GH even though it has 2200hp engine it can only pull three passenger cars. What would happen if it pulled four cars?
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only thing restricted to 4 cars on a BL20gh is the HEP unit, since engine is for branch line service only when in passenger service. The main engine has no restrictions and they are General Purpose locomotives. they have been succesfully used to tow Acela's and even a dead train 49 from yonkers to Pougkeepsie. Can it feed HEP to more cars ?? sure as long as load is reduced , kill HVAC but leave ventilation and lights on, it can supply 10 or more cars before HEP shuts down on overload.
Are we talking pulling, or powering a train.
Depending on grades, the locomotive can PULL many more than 3 cars, however, for each additional car (load weight) the train will accelerate to it's cruise speed in a longer amount of time. I suspect for scheduling purposes the trains are limited to 3 cars as that size train will accomodate the proper number of passengers and will accelerate acceptably and maintain the operating schedule.
I fully expect that the HEP function on these engines will adequately supply more than 3 commuter cars. Amtrak engines routinely supply HEP for 9 cars.
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The BL20GH does not have a full size HEP plant for mainline trains. Two years ago we were moving the private cars for display into Grand Central Terminal. Amtrak power got us as far as Harmon and a single BL20 (slowly) dragged us in to the terminal and switched the cars for the weekend festivities. We were dark for the trip from Harmon south because the BL20's HEP plant was not large enough to power the train.
again yes the HEP on BL20gh is restricted to 320 Kw it could have supplied the private cars as long as power was managed, kill HVAC no cooking no big power use. Most rail cars only use about 60 Kw so it should have been sufficient for 5 cars plus , commuter cars have a very HEP demand vs Amtrak or private cars, at station stops all doors open at once letting either heat or AC fly out the doors. but then what do I know only operated these things since they were deliverd.
Dutchrailnut again yes the HEP on BL20gh is restricted to 320 Kw it could have supplied the private cars as long as power was managed,
again yes the HEP on BL20gh is restricted to 320 Kw it could have supplied the private cars as long as power was managed,
So could they put a turbo in (like they do with cars) without disrupting the fuel efficiency?
they already have a turbo , the BL20gh HEP is a Caterpliilar C-15
the P40 and P42 and P32acdm are rated at max 1000 Kw HEP.
So if they used 2 engines, could they power 6 cars with Head End Power?
No. I could write a dissertation on how HEP really works but it would be far more advantageous if the OP did some research on this wonderful thing we call the world wide web and learned the answer for himself.
no, engines do not have capability to syncronize HEP sets, yes P30ch did, yes on LIRR equipment as it has a split HEP bus under cars.
Is 5 HP ~= 4 KW ? Is that why an ACS-64 is 6400 KW and 8579 HP ?
blue streak 1 Is 5 HP ~= 4 KW ? Is that why an ACS-64 is 6400 KW and 8000 HP ?
Is 5 HP ~= 4 KW ? Is that why an ACS-64 is 6400 KW and 8000 HP ?
blue streak 1 Is 5 HP ~= 4 KW ? Is that why an ACS-64 is 6400 KW and 8579 HP ?
1 HP = 746W, so 4 HP ~= 3 KW assuming 100% efficiency. Given some losses between the catenary and wheel rims, 5 HP ~= 4 KW wouldn't be far off the mark.
- Erik
ACS-64 is rated at 8600 HP but this is a short-time rating. I've read that the continuous rating is around 6700 HP.
1 HP=746 watts is a translation from the British to the metric system as a measure of energy. Efficiency has nothing to do with it.
I would rather hear from those who know what they're talking about on here than go to Google where the answers may not be accurate.
CSSHEGEWISCH 1 HP=746 watts is a translation from the British to the metric system as a measure of energy. Efficiency has nothing to do with it.
Depends on whether the rating in KW is for electrical input or mechanical output. Efficiency doesn't have anything to do for the latter but does for the former.
zkr123 I would rather hear from those who know what they're talking about on here than go to Google where the answers may not be accurate.
Ah...no. 1 HP = 0.746 kW period, end of discussion. That's the conversion between the two. I suspect you had in mind how the locomotive, prime mover, whatever, is rated - gross engine output (in the case of a diesel or tubine-powered locomotive), input to the generator for traction, output at the rail, drawbar power, whatever.
Phelps Ah...no. 1 HP = 0.746 kW period, end of discussion. That's the conversion between the two. I suspect you had in mind how the locomotive, prime mover, whatever, is rated - gross engine output (in the case of a diesel or tubine-powered locomotive), input to the generator for traction, output at the rail, drawbar power, whatever.
True. While a 1000hp prime mover may actually put out 1000hp (or 746kW) to the generator, you will not get 746 kW to the wheels. All along the path, there are losses. How much depends on how well the design engineers did their job, but there will be losses.
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