Re: Driver wheel tire footprint

Barry,
That's the age old question that was always posted in my math classes........how much tire is actually touching the road at any given time.
I would imagine that rail tires would be the same. I can't imagine that much of the actual tire is touching the rail......HOWEVER, think about the WIDTH of the tire compared to the rail. That is where the PSI for traction will come into play.
Blind drivers are great example of getting a lot of steel to steel. I know they don't have rims because of the turning problems so that lets them have a lot more grip on the rails.
So to answer your question: I'm going out on a limb here........but I'd say that a K-36 would have maybe a 2"X3" grip on the rail for 6sq" of area. Multiply that times 8 drivers and you have 48"sq of grip. Divide the tractive effort of the loco 36,000tons and there you have how much "technicall" could be pulled by each driver. That is a lot!
And to think....a lot of slimy little bugs and critters on the rail makes it real interesting when pulling the "hill".
Now it's time for the true railguys to give you the right answer......I'm just spitballing here!
But you did take me back to 9th grade Algebra I this morning!
tim