O.k. We all know thease babies put out a mean, 8,500 HP. But, nearly everytime I see one in a picture, it has 8-10 other diesels behind it? Why would it need that much help? Anyone know what I’m talking about???
i remember an article from a while back in MR in the mailcar asking how many engines should be put on a train. the responce was a formula which i have since discarded. however, i will look again and im sure it would pay to search the mailcar. the formula took in factors such as the weight of the cars, max grade, and importance of speed. it came out to a range of min-max hp for the given consist. take that number, then the compare the hp of the engine.
hope this helps… ill let you know if i find it
HeY 4884bigboy, do you have url’s on these pictures never seen them
i don’t, Lupo. They’re in my UP book. But I can try to find one.
Perhaps I can help with the formula for pulling power. Note: I got this out of MR and thought this was some good info.
Tonnage Ratings or How many Locomotives does it take to pull a string of cars over a ruling grade?
Tractive effort = (Horsepower x 308)/Miles per hour
Tonnage Rating = Tractive effort/ (2,000 lbs. x percent of gradient)
Example:
7,000 ton train needs to cross a 2.2% ruling grade.
SD40-2 has 3,000 HP
Tractive effort = (3,000 x 308) / 11 mph
= 84,000
Tonnage Rating= 84,000lbs/(2,000 x 2.2%)
= 1,909 tons
Locos Needed = 7,000 tons / 1,909
= 3.67 or 4 SD40-2#8217;s
This figure can vary due to weather and track conditions.
which book is that?? maybe I can order it at walthers!
do you know the AJ Wolf book "Union Pacific the Turbine era " has also lots of pictures in it, all the turbines, but mostly static side views not so much “action pictures”
It’s called “Union Pacific Railroad” by Brian Soloman.