If your company is in the market for a locomotive to replace an older inefficient model, hopefully this bit if information will help. This small but important information pertains more to industrial locomotive users as most railroads are more concerned with other aspects of moving freight.

Industrial users are usually not to concerned about locomotive speed other than being able to attain a minimal safe train speed to get through curves and grades without burning up electrical rotating equipment such as traction motors and generators. Horse power relates to the potential speed of the locomotive while the important factor, weight (tonnage per axle), relates to tractive effort capabilities of the locomotive. In order to reduce potential wheel slippage, a locomotive must have enough tractive effort and draw bar force to be capable of pulling (or pushing) a train of freight cars through the most difficult curves and grades of your operation. We at S&S Sales and Leasing use software to calculate the proper tractive effort required for a locomotive needed to move your freight cars efficiently, safely, and successfully. For example, if you have just a 1% grade in your track and are going to be pulling (pushing) loaded freight cars up the grade. The 1% grade is equivalent to doubling the amount of loaded  freight cars that you are actually pulling (or pushing).  In addition, if you have curves in your track, as most all facilities do, the degree of curve/s and the length of the curve/s also has a large influence on your locomotive's ability to move your freight cars successfully. This adds friction or resistance to the train as its being pulled or pushed around or through the track curve. The software we use does take into consideration all of these factors along with freight car length, weight, number of locomotive axles, locomotive overall weight, and minimal speed requirements for your operation when calculating the required locomotive for your operation. Purchasing or leasing the proper locomotive for your needs is vital to reduce your locomotive prematurely wearing out, downtime, and increasing fuel cost savings, and rail operating safety. So rest assured that S&S Sales and Leasing LLC will present the proper recommendations and locomotive for your freight car transportation requirements.