2006-08-20 02:46:09 · 9 answers · asked by kiran 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
they don't turn they just follow the tracks
2006-08-20 02:51:11 · answer #1 · answered by bbbandit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the design of the wheel that enables trains to travel through turns..all train wheels have a solid axle so to keep wheel slippage to a minimum when travel through a turn the wheel is made with a taper with the outside of the wheel actually smaller than the side next to the flange..example when a train enters a left hand bend in the rail the wheels move slightly to the right where the circumference of the right hand wheel is greater and the circumference of the left hand wheel is lesser..of course the flange keeps the wheels on the rail... Some newer locomotives are equipped with steerable trucks where the wheel sets move slightly in the direction of the turn...
2006-08-20 10:54:37 · answer #2 · answered by Dirtydog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the above are good answers.
Jijo P notes the difference in rail height. This is an engineering term referred to as "super elevation." It helps the equipment traverse the curve in the same way as "banked" turns on a race track help the cars negotiate the turn. Super elevation is usually found on trackage with a relatively higher speed.
The equipment also gets help from another engineering term referred to as a "spiral." The spiral is found on each end of a curve. It, too, is a curve, but is a gentler radius than that of the curve, that "sets up" the equipment trucks for negotiating the curve, if you will.
2006-08-20 19:13:37 · answer #3 · answered by Samurai Hoghead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well one of the answers given tou you that they follow the track is partially true. Actually while turning left suppose then then right hand side track is a bite higher than the left track and vice versa the steeper the turn the higher the track if you are a bombay resident then travel between bhayander and naigaon you will be able to feel the tracks being higher
Jijo Philip
2006-08-20 10:23:44 · answer #4 · answered by jijo p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The weight and the wheel hold them to the tracks. There is a ledge built to the side of the wheel that rubs against the track to keep it on the track. If you look at a set of wheels you can figurre it out.
2006-08-20 13:02:49 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have tapered wheels, and a flange to keep them on the rails. Its simple as that, the wheels follow the rail.
2006-08-20 14:02:34 · answer #6 · answered by DT89ACE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rail is capable of turning thus the train turns. They take it quite well, thanks.
2006-08-22 02:49:54 · answer #7 · answered by am1360 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
points controlled by signals
2006-08-20 09:53:35 · answer #8 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the faster the better
2006-08-21 19:35:16 · answer #9 · answered by lil mike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋