Dynamic braking 101
The dynamics of dynamic braking A half-century ago, when diesel locomotives were replacing steam engines, a revolutionary breakthrough — dynamic…
Read moreThe dynamics of dynamic braking A half-century ago, when diesel locomotives were replacing steam engines, a revolutionary breakthrough — dynamic…
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Train orders The train order, variously called the “flimsy” or the “tissue” — together with its attendant operators, train order…
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Railroad reporting marks Railroad cars are identified by two, three, or four letters and by a number of up to…
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An EMD AR20 alternator from CSX SD70MAC 4549 at the railroad’s Huntington, W.Va., shop. Chris Guss Understanding brake horsepower: Diesel…
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We’ve all seen blue flags. A sign with words “STOP MEN AT WORK” clamped to the head of a rail,…
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Locomotive prime movers are the engines inside all diesel-electric locomotives and are the heart of the entire locomotive. Prime movers…
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EMD turbochargers For decades, railroads have adapted locomotives to meet the service to which they are assigned. As newer and…
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Positive Train Control With Positive Train Control (PTC) fully implemented on a large majority of the nation’s Class Is, passenger,…
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Locomotives and rolling stock: There are a variety of reasons that dictate railroad equipment is better off being transported by…
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Electrified freight service Hauling freight in the United States is almost exclusively a diesel locomotive affair today. However, a century…
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Railroading tools Railroads are fixed-guideway systems for transporting goods or people. Its basis is the low friction, and hence high…
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What’s on a locomotive cab roof? A cluttered battle for available space. But that wasn’t always the case. Decades ago,…
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