An analysis of the influence of railway vehicle mass and velocity on curve resistance values

Abstract

This paper presents the implementation of the methodology for the calculation of railway vehicle curve resistance as a function of mass and velocity. It is based on experiments on a scaled-down model of a freight train (1:87 HO scale), a locomotive engine EMD SD 35 and carriages FALNS 121. Using this model we have studied the influence of the quantity and distribution of train load mass as well as the influence of velocity on the curve resistance values. Constant resistance forces of the locomotive, the empty train, and the loaded train were determined by using the gravitational method. The following loading combinations were studied: empty train (PPPPPP), one loaded carriage - front or back (TPPPPP and PPPPPT) and two loaded carriages - front or back (TTPPPP and PPPPTT). The analysis confirmed a correlation between railway vehicle mass/velocity and curve resistance.