Tonnage Rating of Locomotives

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Not to overdo the tonnage rating discussion, is the rating in gross tons (total train weight) or net revenue tons (summation of the capacity of each car)? If it's gross, then I figure that 200 hoppers of 72T capy is 14,400T plus 20% car wt (and it's probably more than that) = 17,280T. If memory serves, that is well over the published summertime ratings of the big steamers on 1950's Scioto division.  Were tonnage ratings ever exceeded?
 
If ratings are in net tons, how would empties be counted? 
 
Who kept track of train weights when assembling trains in those days?
 
I remember as a kid train car counter, many westbound coal drags behind a 1200 in the 190-200 car range - most ever was 213, probably eastbound empties (that was time well spent sitting alone trackside during my formative years).
 
Ted Goodman
Columbus
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Sent: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 7:44 AM
Subject: Re: Tonnage Rating of Locomotives


Chuck:
As I recollect, the Eno  River bridge was one reason that heavier power wasn't
used on the Durham District.  
 
The profile of the Durham District certainly restricted what any engine could
haul -- southbound there was a 2.2% grade in the climb to Naruna.  Later,
when N&W started hauling coal to CP&L,  southbound, the grade to
Cluster Springs became a real problem.  N&W could handle a unit train
(95-100 cars) over the Altavista Dist. to the connection with the Durham District
at Vabrook without a problem.  Beyond, the tonnage ratings were so
restrictive that the train had to be handled into Hyco in thirds.  The road crew
from Roanoke took one third in and a local crew based at South Boston took
the remaining part in.  To accomplish this, N&W spent big bucks to build
set-off tracks at Clarkton.  Incidentally, old timetables show a 60' turntable
at Cluster Springs.  Maybe this was pusher territory at one time.
 
Remember this -- if you overload a steam locomotive, it'll stall.  On a diesel
electric locomotive, if the engineer ignores the short time ratings (the amount
of time the locomotive is allowed to operate 'in the red'), it'll burn up the
traction motors.
                                                      Harry Bundy
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