Tractive Resistances:

When train is in motion, there are numerous forces which offer resistance to the
movement and speed of the train. Therefore, tractive force developed by the locomotive
should be adequate enough to overcome the resistance offered by different agencies
against its movement.
It can be classified into four categories
1. Train resistance
2. Resistance due to track profile
3. Resistance due to starting and acceleration
4. Wind resistance

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Tractive Resistances can be classified into four categories
1. Train resistance
2. Resistance due to track profile
3. Resistance due to starring and acceleration
4. Wind resistance
Train resistance can be classified into following categories:
A. Resistance independent on speed or rolling resistance (Internal parts)
B. Resistance dependent on speed (Track irregularities, flange friction, etc.)
C. Atmospheric resistances
Resistance due to track profile are classified into two categories:
A. Resistance due to gradients
B. Resistance due to curves
Resistance due to starting and acceleration
A. Resistance due to starting
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B. Resistance due to acceleration
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Resistance independent on speed or Rolling resistance (Rt1):
The total train resistance independent of the speed (Rt1) can be calculated by
Rt1 = 0.0016 w

Resistance dependent on speed (Rt2):

The total train resistance depends on the speed can be calculated by
Rt2 = 0.00008 w v

Atmospheric resistance (Rt3):

It can be calculated by Rt3 = 0.0000006 w v2

Total Train Resistance RT1 will be given by

RT1 = Rt1 + Rt2 + Rt3
RT1 = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2
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w is weight of train in tonnes & v is speed in kmph
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Resistance due to track profile are classified into two categories:
A. Resistance due to gradients
B. Resistance due to curve
Resistance due to gradient can be calculated by
Rg = w tan Ɵ
Rg = (weight on train) x (percent gradient)
For a 2 percent gradient, the train having a weight of 2 tonnes, resistance due to
gradient:
Rg = (2 x 1000) x (2 / 100)
Rg = 40 kg for 2 tonnes
Resistance due to curve can be calculated by
For BG, Rc = 0.0004 w x D
For MG, Rc = 0.0003 w x D
For NG, Rc = 0.0002 w x D
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D is degree of the curve.
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Hauling capacity = µ x W

Hauling capacity of locomotive is usually 1/6 to 1/8 times the load on driving wheels.

Hauling capacity = Total Resistance

In case of straight track on level:

Hauling Capacity = Train Resistance

In case of curved track on level:

Hauling Capacity = Train Resistance + Curve Resistance

In case of curved tracon grade:

Hauling Capacity = Train Resistance + Curve Resistance + Gradient Resistance
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Que 1: The hauling capacity of a locomotive with 03 pairs of driving wheels and an
axle loads of 20 tonnes. use 0.2 as coefficient of friction is find out as follows:
Hauling capacity of locomotive = Coeff. Of friction X Weight on driving wheels
= 0.2 x 3 x 20 x 1000
= 12000 Kgs.

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Que. 2: Calculate the maximum permissible train load that can be pulled by a
locomotive having four pairs of driving wheels, carrying an axial load of 20 tonnes
each. The train has to run at the speed of 70 kmph on a straight level BG track.:
Pairs of driving wheels = 4 pairs
w = 20 tonnes
v = 70 kmph
Assuming coefficient of friction = 0.2
Hauling capacity of locomotive = 0.2 x 4 x 20 = 16 tonnes = 16000 kg
On a straight level track, train resistance = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2
Equating hauling capacity to the train resistance,
16 = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2
16 = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w (70) + 0.0000006 w (70)2
w = 1578 tonnes
Maximum permissible train load that can be pulled by a locomotive = 1578 tonnes.
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Que. 3: Calculate the maximum permissible train load that can be pulled by a locomotive
having four pairs of driving wheels, carrying an axle load of 24 tonnes each. The train has to
run at the speed of 80 kmph on a straight level BG track.
Also calculate the reduction in speed, if train has to climb a gradient of 1 in 200.
If train climbs the gradient with a 20 curve, then what would be the reduction in speed?
Pairs of driving wheels = 4 pairs, w = 24 tonnes, v = 80 kmph
Assume hauling capacity is 1/6 times the load on driving wheels (coeff. of friction = 0.166)
Hauling capacity of locomotive = 0.166x 4 x 24 = 16 tonnes = 16000 kg
On a straight level track, train resistance = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2
Equating hauling capacity to the train resistance,
16 = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2
16 = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w (80) + 0.0000006 w (80)2
w = 1351.4 tonnes say 1350 tonnes
In case, the train has to move up the gradient 1 in 200 (0.5 percent)
Total Train Resistance = (0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2) + (w x % Gradient)
16 = (0.0016x1350 + 0.00008x1350 x v + 0.0000006x1350 x v2) + (1350x(0.5/100))
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v = 50kmph
Hence reduction in speed = 80 – 50 = 30 kmph
Que. 3: Calculate the maximum permissible train load that can be pulled by a locomotive
having four pairs of driving wheels, carrying an axle load of 24 tonnes each. The train has to
run at the speed of 80 kmph on a straight level BG track.
Also calculate the reduction in speed, if train has to climb a gradient of 1 in 200.
If train climbs the gradient with a 20 curve, then what would be the reduction in speed?
Hauling capacity of locomotive = 0.166x 4 x 24 = 16 tonnes
On a straight level track, train resistance = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2
Equating hauling capacity to the train resistance,
16 = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w v + 0.0000006 w v2
16 = 0.0016 w + 0.00008 w (80) + 0.0000006 w (80)2
w = 1351.4 tonnes say 1350 tonnes
If train moves with above gradient on a 20 curve, then total train resistance will be
= (0.0016w + 0.00008wv + 0.0000006wv2) + (w x % Gradient) + (0.0004wD)
Equate with Hauling Capacity
16=(0.0016x1350 + 0.00008x1350 x v + 0.0000006x1350 x v2) + (1350x(0.5/100)) +
(0.0004x1350x2)
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v = 43kmph
Hence reduction in speed = 80 – 43 = 37 kmph
Que. 4: A locomotive on MG track has three pairs of driving wheels each carrying
20 tonnes. What maximum load can it pull on level track with curvature of 20 at
50kmph.
Hauling Capacity = Coeff. Of friction X Weight on driving wheels.
Equate Hauling capacity with Total train resistance.
If train moves with above gradient on a 20 curve, then total train resistance will be
= (0.0016w + 0.00008wv + 0.0000006wv2) + (0.0003wD)
w = 1300 tonnes

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Que. 5: Find out the steepest gradient on a straight track using given data, for train having 20
wagons. Weight of each wagon = 18 tonnes, Rolling resistance of wagon = 2.5 kg/tonne, Speed
of train = 50 kmph, Weight of locomotive with tender = 120 tonnes, Tractive effort of
locomotive = 12 tonnes & Rolling resistance of locomotive = 3.5 kg/tonnes
Total weight of Train = 120 + (20 x 18) = 180 tonnes
Rolling resistance of all wagons = (2.5 x 18) x 20 = 900 kg = 0.9 tonnes
Rolling resistance of locomotive = 120 x 3.5 = 420 kg = 0.42 tonnes
Total Rolling Resistance of locomotive & wagons = 0.9 + 0.42 = 1.32 tonnes
Resistance depending on speed = 0.0008 w v = 0.00008 x 480 x 50 = 1.92 tonnes
Atmospheric resistance = 0.0000006 w v2 = 0.000000 x 480 x 50 x 50 = 0.72 tonnes

Resistance due to Gradient = (1/g) w Gradient required is 1 in g

Train Resistance = Rolling Resistance + Resistance depend on speed + Atmospheric Resistance +
Resistance due to Gradient
12 = 3.582 +(480/g)
g = 60 Steepest gradient permissible is 1 in 60.
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Que. 6: What would be the gradient for BG track when the gradient resistance
together with curve resistance due to curve of 30 shall be equal to the resistance
due to a ruling gradient of 1 in 200.
Resistance due to required gradient = (1/X) w
Resistance due to curve of 30 on BG track = 0.0004 x 3 x w
Resistance due to ruling gradient = (1/200) w

((1/X) w ) + (0.0004 x 3 x w) = (1/200) w

(1 / X) + (0.0004 x 3) = (1 / 200)
X = 265
Ruling gradient is 1 in 265

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