Computer-aided analysis of skidding in railway traction

Present design techniques of locomotives for railway traction sometimes imply a reduction in the weight and number of driving wheels of the locomotive. As a result skidding may occur more frequently. If the phenomenon is well known from the physical point of view, an accurate numerical analysis is useful in practice to obtain suitable control algorithms. This paper deals with the results of theoretical and experimental analysis on a scale model purposely made to give us a practical opportunity of evaluating friction torques during skidding and at the moment of wheel grip recovery. The scale model simulates a train driven by a locomotive 402 of the Italian railways. It has been used to perform an experimental validation of its mathematical model. The model is then used to analyse different situations and events in order to discover proper control strategies and techniques.