Dedicated Weighing Systems for Locomotive Safety and Reliability
Why Weigh a Locomotive?
Weighing locomotives accurately is essential to maintaining safe, reliable and efficient rail operations. A balanced weight distribution reduces stress on rail infrastructure and ensures locomotives meet stringent safety standards, helping to prevent issues that could compromise on-track performance.
Monitoring a locomotive’s weight also provides valuable data to support proactive maintenance strategies. This insight enables engineers to identify potential problems early, reducing unexpected breakdowns and extending the service life of each locomotive.
Additionally, rail operators must comply with strict weight regulations to meet industry requirements. Regular weighing allows them to verify compliance and detect imbalances that could increase derailment risks, contributing to safer and more efficient journeys.
What Makes Locomotives Different from Other Rolling Stock?
Locomotives have engineering requirements that differ from those of other types of rolling stock. Here is what sets them apart:
Primary Power Source for Trains
Locomotives are built to generate the power to haul passenger railcars or freight wagons over long distances and through varying rail infrastructure, serving as the driving force for the entire trainset.
Specialised Maintenance Needs
Due to their heavy weight, complex design and high-performance demands, locomotives require specialised maintenance programs to optimise traction and control across different rail networks.
Heavier Weight & Unique Distribution
Locomotives have a robust structure, housing the engine, fuel tanks, braking systems and control units. This results in a unique weight distribution when compared to lighter rolling stock such as urban rail vehicles.
Freight vs. Passenger Configurations
Freight locomotives prioritise traction and pulling power to handle heavy loads at slower speeds. In contrast, passenger locomotives focus on speed, acceleration and a smoother suspension system for a ride comfort.
