Re: Tasrail ZR2 adhesion

[David <DAVID@NMIT.EDU.VIC.AU>]

John Duncan McCallum wrote:
> 
> In article <341f0090.14455073@nntp.peg.apc.org>, jdennis@acslink.net.au (John
> Dennis)wroted:
> >I was reading the latest issue of Tasmanian Rail News, and came across
> >an interesting description of the newly rebuilt ZR2.  One paragraph in
> >particular seemed unusual, to say the least:
> >
> >"Initially the adhesion of the loco wheels to the rails is to be
> >assisted by the action of friction blocks onto the treads of each
> >wheel to control wheelslip, rather than by using sand."
> >
> >Now I am familiar (at least in layman's terms) with the various modern
> >electronic techniques to improve adhesion, and also with the age old
> >method of sanding the rail, but applying friction to the wheel treads
> >does seem to me to be a little strange.
> >
> >Can anybody out there shed some light on this.  Does it really work?
> >
> >Cheers...JD
> >==========================================================
> >John Dennis                         jdennis@acslink.net.au
> >Melbourne                                  denjo02@cai.com
> >Australia               http://www.acslink.net.au/~jdennis
> >                  Dutton Bay Tramway pages updated 14 June
> This seems to be the way English Electric controlled wheelslip on starting. I
> think it was called "adhesive braking", although I cannot be sure.
> By the way, with old S300 on the Diamond Valley Railway, it was one way to
> prevent excessive wheelslip under slippery conditions. I have used that method
> at least once to get the train moving. It's a pity the old girl is no longer
> on the railway.
> 
> John McCallum

vale S300, at least the reaL S300 is still going !

David