Operating a train may be an exciting experience, but it also necessitates a high level of expertise and caution, particularly when going over curves and bends in the rails. A train traveling slowly around a bend on the rails was captured on camera in 2017 along a railway route between Ohio and Indiana. This begs the question, what do you do when you’re operating a train and encounter such slanted tracks?
The solution is simple: go slowly. Trains are built to move at high speeds on straight tracks, but they must slow down when they meet bends to avoid derailment. This is due to the fact that the centrifugal force created by the curve might cause the train to tip over if it travels at too high a speed.
The speed at which a train may safely drive around a curve is determined by various factors, including track curvature, train weight and length, and weather conditions. In general, the slower the train must travel, the steeper the curve. A train, for example, may be able to safely move at speeds of up to 80 km/h on a curve with a radius of 500 meters, while on a curve with a radius of only 100 meters, the maximum safe speed may be as low as 20 km/h.
Aside from slowing down, train drivers can take a variety of safeguards to protect their passengers and cargo when approaching curves. Modifying the brakes and applying different types of rail lubrication may be used to reduce friction and boost stability.
Overall, managing a train needs meticulous attention to track conditions as well as a solid understanding of propulsion principles. Whether you’re driving in Ohio or anyplace else on the planet, it’s vital to take curves slowly and have a firm grip on the steering wheel. Everyone on board is banking on it, after all.
