What size are freight train wheels?
What size are freight train wheels? by Train Detainer For locos it is for TM size and adhesion factors (IIRC there are 44 wheels on some ACs). Vast majority of US freight cars today are on 33 or 36 wheels. Some autoracks/intermodal flats are/were on 28 wheels due to low floor height.
Are all train wheels the same size?
Depending on the railcar's size, wheelset diameters may vary. The standard set by the International Union of Railways is 36 inches. Some railcars may be equipped with smaller diameter wheels like auto racks utilizing 28-inch diameter wheels to reduce the overall height of the railcar.
How do train wheels not slip?
To help the wheels stay on the track their shape is usually slightly conical. This means that the inside of the wheel has a larger circumference than the outside of the wheel. (They also have a flange, or raised edge, on the inner side to prevent the train from falling off the tracks.)
What size are the wheels on a diesel locomotive?
Freight locomotives generally had driving wheels between 40 and 60 inches (1,016 and 1,524 mm) in diameter; dual-purpose locomotives generally between 60 and 70 inches (1,524 and 1,778 mm), and passenger locomotives between 70 and 100 inches (1,778 and 2,540 mm) or so.
Why the Big Boy 4014 is such a badass train?
Its girth requires a 4-8-8-4 wheel configuration to keep it rock-steady on the rails. With a puny 7,000 horsepower, Big Boys had a maximum tractive power of 135,375 pounds, all to pull huge loads of freight across steep grades in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and the Rockies.
How many gallons of diesel does a train locomotive hold?
Fuel Tank. This huge tank in the underbelly of the locomotive holds up to 5,500 gallons (20,820 liters) of diesel fuel, plus an additional 300 gallons (1,135 liters) of coolant, and 250 gallons (946 liters) of engine oil.
How far can a train go on 1 gallon of fuel?
Today's train locomotives are already quite fuel efficient, especially compared to trucks. In fact, trains can haul one ton of goods an average of more than 480 miles on just a single gallon of fuel, making them 3-4 times more fuel efficient than trucks.