A 160 car coal train has 640 axles and 1280 roller bearings not including locomotives.
I've noticed that in very cold weather a 25% increase in fuel consumption.
For example 5,000+ liters instead of 4,000 on a 130 mile run.
Each car weighs 143 tons (2,000 lbs tons).
Snow can add to the weight of each car.
Cyclonic action of the wheel flanges against the rail as the train slows
is another source of parasitic friction loss.
At low speed it would make sense that the lubricant in the wheel bearings will cool.
TOR, top of rail friction modifiers become less effective as the temperature drops.
If it takes .75 horsepower per ton during summer operation to climb a 1.2% grade at 9mph ,
how can we accurately predict the horsepower requirement of the same train as the ambient drops?
I've noticed that in very cold weather a 25% increase in fuel consumption.
For example 5,000+ liters instead of 4,000 on a 130 mile run.
Each car weighs 143 tons (2,000 lbs tons).
Snow can add to the weight of each car.
Cyclonic action of the wheel flanges against the rail as the train slows
is another source of parasitic friction loss.
At low speed it would make sense that the lubricant in the wheel bearings will cool.
TOR, top of rail friction modifiers become less effective as the temperature drops.
If it takes .75 horsepower per ton during summer operation to climb a 1.2% grade at 9mph ,
how can we accurately predict the horsepower requirement of the same train as the ambient drops?
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