Tractive Effort for Propulsion of Train

What is Tractive Effort?

The effective force required for propelling a train at the wheel of locomotive is known as the
tractive effort. It is denoted by 𝑭𝒕 and is measured in Newton. It is a vector quantity always
acting tangential to the wheels of the locomotive.

Tractive Effort for Propulsion of Train

The total tractive effort required to propel the train on the track is equal to the sum of −

Tractive effort required for linear and angular acceleration (𝐹𝑎).

Tractive effort to overcome the effect of gravity (𝐹𝑔).

Tractive effort to overcome the train resistance (𝐹𝑟).

Therefore, the total tractive effort is given as,

Ft = Fa ± Fg ± Fr ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ (1)

Tractive Effort for Linear and Angular Acceleration

According to the laws of dynamics, the force required to accelerate the motion of the body is
given by,

Force, F = Mass(m) × Acceleration(α)

Now, consider a train of weight W tons being accelerated at α kmphps, then,

Mass of train = 1000W kg

1000
2 2
Acceleration, α = α kmphps = α × m/ s = 0.2778α m/ s
3600

Therefore, the tractive effort required for linear acceleration is,

 Fa = mα = 1000W × 0.2778α = 277.8Wα Newtons

With the linear acceleration of the train, the rotating parts of the train like wheels and motor
shafts also accelerate in an angular direction. Therefore, the tractive effort required is equal to
the arithmetic sum of tractive effort required to have the linear acceleration and the tractive
effort required to have the angular acceleration of rotating parts.

Actually, the tractive effort required to have the angular acceleration depends upon the
individual weight, radius of gyration, etc. of the rotating parts requiring angular acceleration.
Thus, the equivalent accelerating weight of the train is taken as 𝑾𝒆 which is 8% to 15% higher
than W.

Therefore, the tractive effort required for linear and angular acceleration is given by,

Fa = 277.8 We α Newtons ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ (2)

Tractive Effort for Overcoming the Effect of Gravity

When a train is on a gradient (or slope), a force of gravity equal to the component of the dead
weight along the slope acts on the train and tends to cause its motion down. Therefore, the
force due to gradient is given by,

Fg = mg sin θ = 1000 Wg sinθ

But, in railway work, the gradient is expressed as rise in meters in a track distance of 100
meters and is denoted as percentage gradient (G%). Now from the figure, we have,
 Elelvation (BC)
Slope or Gradient, G = sin θ =
Distance along the track (AC)

%G = sin θ × 100

G
⇒ sin θ =
100

Therefore,

G
Fg = 1000Wg × = 10WG × 9.81
100

⇒ Fg = 9.81WG Newton ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ (3)

Where, g = 9.81 m/s2, acceleration due to gravity.

Tractive Effort Required for Overcoming Train Resistance

The train resistance consists of all the forces resisting the motion of a train when it is running
at uniform speed on a straight and level track. Under these conditions, the entire energy
output from the driving axles is expended against train resistance.

The train resistance is mainly due to −

The friction at the various parts of the rolling stock.

The friction at the track.

Air resistance.

Here, the first two components constitute the mechanical resistance component of the train
resistance. Also, the train resistance depends upon various factors like shape, size and
condition of the track, etc. and it is expressed in Newton per ton of the dead weight. For a
normal train, the value of specific resistance varies from 40 to 70 N/ton.

Thus, the general expression for the train resistance is,

 2
R = k1 + k2 V + k3 V

Where, 𝑘1, 𝑘2 and 𝑘3 are the constants whose value depends upon the train and track. R is the
resistance in Newton and V is the speed in kmph.

Hence, the tractive effort required to overcome the train resistance is

Fr = W × r ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ (4)

Where, 𝒓 is the specific resistance per ton of the dead weight of train.

Therefore, on substituting the values from equations (2), (3) & (4) in eqn. (1), we get the total
tractive effort required to run the train as,

Ft = Fa ± Fr = 277.8 We α ± 98.1WG + Wr ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ (5)

Here, +ve sign is for the motion up the gradient and –ve sign for the motion down the gradient.