Comments on: Locomotive Pulling Power Formula https://blog.model-train-help.com/2020/11/locomotive-pulling-power-formula.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=locomotive-pulling-power-formula Model railroads and model trains Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:06:47 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Frank B https://blog.model-train-help.com/2020/11/locomotive-pulling-power-formula.html#comment-42608 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:06:47 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5859#comment-42608 1) Test the traction of your locomotive:

Put the loco on a section of straight track on a table.
With small weights on a length of cotton over the table edge, see how much weight is required to move the loco. This is the force the loco can exert. It can be increased by weighting the loco.

(Just for fun, you can apply power to see what the loco will lift, but you will get about the same result.)

2) Use the basic formulas on inclined planes from your school physics textbook to translate this force into the weight of wagons that the loco can pull up a certain slope. In practice, there will also be frictional forces that reduce this, and curves on a gradient can increase this friction.

]]> By: don kadunc https://blog.model-train-help.com/2020/11/locomotive-pulling-power-formula.html#comment-42240 Tue, 24 Nov 2020 01:28:18 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5859#comment-42240 Pulling force is at full throttle in ounces on level ground. This is divided by the the resistance of a 40′ freight car on level straight track. NMRA has a formula for the weight of this car. 1 ounce plus 1/2 ounce times the length in inches. 1 + 1/2 X 5.5″ = 3.75 ounces. MR Oct Atlas SD35 2.9 ounce drawbar pull. Equals 41 standard cars.. 2.9/41 = 0.07 ounce resistance per car. As they say “results will vary” Long passengers cars weigh more so fewer can be pulled. The quality of your rolling stock will greatly affect this. I have a lot of old cars that don’t roll as well as the standard test car. Now for reality. My layout is way to small for 41 car trains. 10 cars look right on my layout. Hills and curves can significantly reduce the number of cars pulled.

]]> By: orjan https://blog.model-train-help.com/2020/11/locomotive-pulling-power-formula.html#comment-42232 Mon, 23 Nov 2020 23:26:14 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5859#comment-42232 In reply to JON BISCH.

It’s just how my brain operates. I like to know how and why things work or don’t. I believe understanding details helps me understand things better.

]]> By: Steven Hesse https://blog.model-train-help.com/2020/11/locomotive-pulling-power-formula.html#comment-42230 Mon, 23 Nov 2020 23:06:23 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5859#comment-42230 Isn’t just how many carriages you can pull. Your carriages can derail if you don’t make sure the heaviest carriage first and lightest last

]]> By: JON BISCH https://blog.model-train-help.com/2020/11/locomotive-pulling-power-formula.html#comment-42228 Mon, 23 Nov 2020 23:01:13 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5859#comment-42228 Are we model railroading or splitting the atom here ?

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