3 ms·

Generally speaking in the UK this was addressed by adding banking engines (the steepest sustained mainline gradient in the UK is 1:37 and this isn't enough to c

by takno 10y ago

Generally speaking in the UK this was addressed by adding banking engines (the steepest sustained mainline gradient in the UK is 1:37 and this isn't enough to cause problems for modern trains). This suggests the problem is an economic one with a mix of banks and flat running. If you are only running a gradient you can provide more traction power and have done

chiph 10y ago
The problem is adhesion (lack of). Modern traction control systems (anti-slip) help quite a bit, but eventually you'll exceed what the steel-on-steel mating surface can provide in terms of grip. Traditionally, you overcome this by using a heavier locomotive - which is one reason why the Union Pacific Big Boy was 1.2 million pounds (544,000 kg). It sounds like they're addressing this by making pretty much every car it's own locomotive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cd5Vcbi1gg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cd5Vcbi1gg