[modeleng] Re: Traction Power

Were you pulling against a stationary object or a car which was moving?  If a 
car, you under measured the pull...  Charles
-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Clifton Walker" <clif.gwr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

> Hi All, 
> When I was up at the Harrogate show, one of the many trade stands had some 
> very 
> nice dial type scales for a £1. 
> 
> I have always had the idea to put a set of scales as a coupling between a 
> loco 
> and the riding car, just to see what pull the loco was exerting so I 
> purchased a 
> set. Last of the big spenders, thats me. 
> 
> Today having a run in the garden with one of my electric locos I gave it a 
> whirl. 
> 
> She could give 47 lbs pull before wheel slip occured. 
> 
> Now the only reference I have got is from Greenlys book on loco design which 
> states that 1lb traction can pull 25lbs load. 
> 
> If I multiply 47 X 25 I get 1175 pounds. If I then divide by 160 lbs as the 
> average persons weight this give a passenger load of seven including the 
> driver. 
> The snag is that I know that this loco can easily pull 10 passengers plus the 
> driver so what is wrong? 
> Does anybody have any better info about traction to load ratio. 
> 
> Has any body else got any traction figures for various locos as a matter of 
> interest. 
> 
> Regards 
> 
> Clif 

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