When consisting locomotives of different horsepower and even manufacturer, what keeps the speed of each locomotive the same as the others? Do the major manufacturers have standards that when say an SD70M is in a consist with a DASH 9-44CW if the throttle is set to position 6 lets say, that both locomotives go the same speed. Since the trucks used on GE locomotives are made by a different company than the trucks on EMD locomotives, do they have the same gear ratio? What is the determining factor?
There was another thread just recently on this one… but very very quickly: the throttle setting, together with the other characteristics (gearing, prime mover, etc. etc.) will determine the power (and hence the torque) delivered to the track. Each engine in a consist will deliver that amount of power, and no more or less. There is no direct connection between throttle setting and speed on any locomotive.
There’s no rule that says you couldn’t MU a GE 44 tonner and an SD70M, although it would look pretty strange…
Yeah if they were both under power a pic of a SD70 and a 44 tonner rolling down the line would be one for the scrapbook hehe. Even better would be the local cement companies 44tonner comeing to the rescue of the AC4400/SD70 combo that had stalled the train nearby. That would be a good chuckle story.
Years ago,I saw a strange consist on the UP. A DD40AX GP9 lash up.I thought that was strange at the time[alien].
just watch csx you’ll see all kinds of power lashed together at times.
stay safe
Joe
my favorite consist of all time was two 25 ton locomotives double-headed to move a single carload of track ballast on a grade. No MU - just two engineers yelling at each other through the open cab windows. They got it done.
dd