Destructive result of locomotive wheel slip - image
Locomotive wheelslip is an event that affects railway motive power when starting from stationary. The greatest effort is required from a locomotive
when starting. At this time, if the driver applies too much power to the wheels the turning force applied to the wheel will greatly exceed the
opposing friction force effected by the surface of the rail, and the wheel will turn without being able to move the train forward.
If the driver does not take quick corrective action the locomotive can end up stationary with its wheels spinning: this can damage both the locomotive drive mechanism, through running too fast, and the rail surface, which, in extreme cases, can be left with a dip where the spin took place. (Such a dip is dangerous if not repaired subsequently.)
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...
By netchicken:
posted on 10-8-2011
If the driver does not take quick corrective action the locomotive can end up stationary with its wheels spinning: this can damage both the locomotive drive mechanism, through running too fast, and the rail surface, which, in extreme cases, can be left with a dip where the spin took place. (Such a dip is dangerous if not repaired subsequently.)
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...