Re: super series wheelslip control

["bazt" <bazt@tpgi.com.au>]

An interesting comparison between Super series and normal locos can
be seen on the Newlands system in North Qld
This line takes coal from the Newlands and Collinsville mines to the
port at Abbot Point.
Prior to November last year the trains were made up of 78 80 tonne
wagons pulled by 4 2200 hp GE 2600 class locos or a mixture of
2600's and 2000 hp Clyde (EMD- GM) locos giving us a theoretical
8000 to 8800 hp for a gross max of 6240 or 1650 tonnes per loco.
In November the 4 GE's and 2170 Clydes per train were replaced with
2 3000 hp 4000 class Clydes
The trains were reduced to 76 80 tonne wagons for a gross of 6080 or
3040 tonnes per loco
On the Collinsville - Briaba section the 4 headers slowed to 21 km
on the slowest and tightest part and the 17 k section took approx 28
minutes and if the throttle was reduced to 7 notches to gain
traction the speed lost would not be regained on the hill
With the 2 headers the train slows to 17 kph and the section takes
approx 35 minutes to run the section. If the throttle is reduced,
any speed lost is regained within 300 meters