Project: Simulation of Savings Available from Grade Reductions and Line Changes
for Bulk Commodity Movements
Client: Class 1 Freight Railroad
During the course of a study of optimal train size and weight for a steam coal movement, significant benefits associated with reductions in ruling grades and changes in restrictive speed limits were identified. This led to a broader investigation of all major coal-hauling routes, to identify locations where minor line changes might produce large operating savings.
A computerized train simulation model was used to identify critical locations where additional locomotives were required or where train length was limited by drawbar forces. A revised track profile was then prepared for each location, containing gradients that were reduced sufficiently to allow either operation of larger trains or reduction in locomotive consists. The savings from these changes were then compared with the estimated capital cost of the grade reduction.