How Many Cars Can One Train Engine Pull
The number of cars that a train engine can pull depends on a number of factors, including the type of engine, the weight of the cars, and the grade of the track. In general, a single train engine can pull between 20 and 100 cars.
Factors that affect the number of cars a train engine can pull
- Type of engine: Diesel-electric locomotives are the most common type of train engine in use today. They are powerful and efficient, and can pull a large number of cars. Steam locomotives are less common, but they can also pull a large number of cars. Electric locomotives are used on electrified railroads, and they can also pull a large number of cars.
- Weight of the cars: The weight of the cars that a train engine can pull is another important factor. Heavier cars require more power to move, so a train engine can pull fewer heavy cars than it can light cars.
- Grade of the track: The grade of the track also affects the number of cars that a train engine can pull. A train engine can pull fewer cars on a steep grade than it can on a flat grade.
How to calculate the number of cars a train engine can pull
The following formula can be used to calculate the number of cars that a train engine can pull:
Number of cars = (Tractive effort of the engine) / (Weight of the cars + Rolling resistance)
where:
* Tractive effort is the force that the engine exerts to move the train.
* Weight of the cars is the total weight of the cars being pulled.
* Rolling resistance is the force that opposes the movement of the train due to friction.
The tractive effort of a train engine can be found in the engine’s specifications. The weight of the cars can be found by adding the weight of each car. The rolling resistance can be found by using a rolling resistance calculator.
Example
Let’s say that we have a diesel-electric locomotive with a tractive effort of 100,000 pounds. We want to calculate the number of cars that the locomotive can pull on a flat track. The cars weigh 100,000 pounds each, and the rolling resistance is 1,000 pounds per car.
Number of cars = (Tractive effort of the engine) / (Weight of the cars + Rolling resistance)
Number of cars = 100,000 pounds / (100,000 pounds + 1,000 pounds)
Number of cars = 100
Therefore, the locomotive can pull 100 cars on a flat track.
Conclusion
The number of cars that a train engine can pull depends on a number of factors. By considering these factors, you can calculate the number of cars that a train engine can pull on any given track.
