How many rail cars can each locomotive move?

Question

i'm basically interested in cargo, like steel, coal, copper

Answer 1

There are few variables to consider when trying to answer this question.  The first is the type of engine doing the pulling/pushing.  The others include distribution of weight amongst the rail and the type of terrain being considered.  

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Answer 2

depends on grade and tonnage. you need to figure tracktive effort of loco then weight of cars then grade. not plain simple answer until you have all info.

Answer 3

Each Locomotive can carry 20 to 45 cars. depending on the year of the car, its typy of bearings and suspension. Also the land it has to go over. Is it all flat, lot of turns, and hills? Most locomotives max out at an average of 100 cars. Give or take a few 10.

Answer 4

Empty cars, or loaded.?? Lot of variables but here is a rough stab at it.

On a slight grade, say .5% or so, which is fairly common, you can move a ton of train with half a horsepower, although it wont be very fast.

Taking that into consideration a 3000 hp locomotive can move 6000 tons.

A loaded coal car weighs everage 130 tons so one old worn out SD-40 can move 40 to 45 loaded cars on light grade.

Answer 5

Heres an example to help you understand your answer...there are lots of variables (grade, weather, operating condition of motors.) I have never left with less than two operable motors, but i took a train of EMPTY coal hoppers up into WV a few days ago. Two new motors, 179 cars 8300ish feet. 5000ish tons. In our rule books, there is a section that breaks down the locomotives into categories, and then you take the category number 1-6 6 being the highest HP, and that will tell you how much weight one motor can pull over your territory. hope that helps. let me know if you need more clarification.

Answer 6

i was on a train last night, 2 engines 146 cars 9800 tons.

Answer 7

It depends on how much weight is on each car...but I'd say 45-50 coal cars carrying about 110 tons each. I base this on the fact that one of the coal fired power plants that I do work at gets 100 car coal trains and has 2 locomotives pulling them.

Answer 8

It really varies by locomotive, even by particular unit within a class. One GP35 might have a dead cylinder in it, while another has electrical woes. We have an old S4 that doesn't transition anymore, and it was never worked on because our track speed is so slow. It'll pull a dozen cars, but it sure doesn't like it!

Answer 9

Well if the grade is 5% U need to connect 1 5000 Hp but you would rather have 2 2500 hp or 3000 if you want to pickup speed. The ifno you would like is KW, and engine condition (old new....)