Physics and Trains

From	Lester Thorpe <lt11@thorpe.info>
Newsgroups	sci.physics
Subject	Physics and Trains
Date	2015-11-26 17:30 +0000
Organization	NewsGuy - Unlimited Usenet $23.95
Message-ID	<pan.2015.11.26.17.30.57@thorpe.info> (permalink)

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Is it better to pull or push a train?  Does it make a difference?

In ordinary practice, trains are usually pulled, but sometimes
they are pushed.  In the US, Amtrak passenger trains can be pushed
for long distances at high speeds.

I'd say it is better to pull a train because pushing increases greatly
the likelihood of buckling of the column of cars.

During motion, all train cars undergo "hunting oscillations," which are
lateral movements, on the rails.  These oscillations means that the 
"column" of cars is almost never in perfect alignment and such a condition
favors buckling.

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Physics and Trains Lester Thorpe <lt11@thorpe.info> - 2015-11-26 17:30 +0000
  Re: Physics and Trains gilber34 <fafa@invalid.com> - 2015-11-26 11:35 -0600
    Re: Physics and Trains Lester Thorpe <lt11@thorpe.info> - 2015-11-26 17:41 +0000
      Re: Physics and Trains gilber34 <fafa@invalid.com> - 2015-11-26 12:08 -0600
        Re: Physics and Trains Lester Thorpe <lt11@thorpe.info> - 2015-11-26 18:34 +0000
          Re: Physics and Trains Mahipal <mahipal7638@gmail.com> - 2015-11-26 11:45 -0800
            Re: Physics and Trains Lester Thorpe <lt11@thorpe.info> - 2015-11-26 20:02 +0000
          Re: Physics and Trains gilber34 <fafa@invalid.com> - 2015-11-29 19:58 -0600
            Re: Physics and Trains Timo <timo@physics.uq.edu.au> - 2015-11-30 14:57 -0800
  Re: Physics and Trains "reber g=emc^2" <herbertglazier0@gmail.com> - 2015-11-26 10:00 -0800
  Re: Physics and Trains Timo <timo@physics.uq.edu.au> - 2015-11-29 17:51 -0800

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