SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFICATION OF A BASELINE BALLAST ARRANGEMENT OF A LOCOMOTIVE, BY INCREASING THE WEIGHT ON THE DRIVEN AXLES

摘要

A system and method for modification of a baseline ballast arrangement of a locomotive having an overall tractive effort rating based on symmetrical distribution of weight and driving torque applied by the locomotive to the respective axles of the locomotive. The system includes a locomotive truck (26a) comprising an a powered first axle (38e) and a powered second axle (38a). The system also includes a first suspension assembly (4Oe) configured to apply to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight and a second suspension assembly (40a) configured to apply to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight different from the first portion. An amount of locomotive weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle allows modification of a baseline ballast arrangement by reducing an amount of ballast (46) in the baseline ballast arrangement corresponding to the amount of weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle.