Question:

How do trains stay on the tracks?

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please give a pic

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  1. No picture.! The wheels are constructed with a lip on the inside of the wheel.


  2. The wheels are designed to ride the track. An example of what a train wheel looks like is the wheel of a car without the tire. If you ever saw a bare car wheel it resembles a train wheel. And the weight of the train keeps it on the track.

  3. The wheels have flange, on inside about length of ball of rail,

    I only have picture of working on track , In my head

  4. Hoghead will love this one. I was backing of the dump on an old sw1000 the one with the brake wheel in the cab behind the hogger's seat. Had a new guy switchman on his first day. I opened up to notch one stood up and grabbed that brake wheel like a ships captain. Told him its not a bad job just hard to steer it and keep it on top of the rail. He said really......  ;-)

  5. They have slotted wheels.

  6. Gravity................

  7. Those who answered "gravity" are correct and since Weasel was first Weasel has 10 points coming.

    The flange allows the wheels to follow the tracks.

    The mathematical equation is a very simple ratio expressed as L/V.  As long as the vertical force, V, or downward force is more than lateral force, L, ie.,  'side to side', the equipment will stay on top of the rail.

    If the lateral force exceeds that of vertical, then the wheel will climb the outside rail of a curve, and the flange cannot stop it.  Conversely, the equipment will pull off to the inside of a curve in an action called 'string lining.'

  8. ltake a look at these photos

    http://www.kmt-gmbh.com/en/telemetrie/im...

    http://www.acmecompany.com/stock_thumbna...

  9. Gravity!

    The wheels are coned with flange on the inner face. As they rotate, the shape of this design stops them coming off the track.

    http://www.acmecompany.com/stock_thumbna...

  10. Friction!

  11. the tracks have grooves and the wheels on the train fit into the traacks.

  12. The wheel on the sides of the train each fit into the inside of the tracks.

  13. The rail has got a flat top, and there are flanged wheels on the train which go on the inside of the rails.

    Friction helps to keep them on aswell, but the main thing is this.

  14. the wheels are fitted to the tracks and the weight of the train keeps it on there.

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