Engine spacing/grouping.

Ghost42

Well-known member
Something not seen (by me) in the UK, when hauling heavy loads requiring multiple locos is there a general rule as to how they are placed in a consist?
I am hauling on the Averey-Drexel, some severe climbs here.
Rog
 
Not sure in UK. But if you ever go to the Canadian Rockies, or some heavy duty up-hills in USA, you will see up to six tractors at the front, and 3 or more in the middle. Middle may not be exact, depending of the weight at the couplers. I am sure someone knows more accurate all this. Anyhow, seeing these monsters in groups using more power you can imagine always boils my blood.
 
long as you dont put over 390,000 lbs on the couplers you should be fine in any configuration. if for instance putting 6 locomotive up front puts more than that amount on the coupler it will break, so maybe 2 of those 6 could be placed on the rear to lessen the forces on the train in the middle. the train doesn't care where you place the power to move it, but the couplers will certainly break if they are strained too much.
 
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You can get an idea from Youtube videos made by train watchers.
Usually 4 or 5 at the front 2 or 3 at the back and 2 or 3 in the consist, more to the rear than halfway
Cheers,
Mike
 
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It is a common sight on the BNSF (ex FWD) line between Wichita Falls and Fort Worth Texas, to see loaded 11,0000 ton coal trains (100 cars @ 110 tons each) with three units, two in the front and one in the rear, or sometimes four units (two in front and rear). These locomotives are most often SD70's of some flavor, so the trains are powered by 12,900 hp if 3 units, or 17,200 horesepower if four. The trains usually return empty via the reverse route, and the consists are left intact, though sometimes they travel without being turned, so one might see an empty of 100 cars with a single unit in the front, and two in the rear. Often on an empty the two units in the rear are not operating, but instead "going along for the ride". They can be started remotely, though, if needed.

ns
 
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