Discussion on ”weight distribution on electric locomotives as affected by motor suspension and draw-bar pull”

Those who have had to deal with such problems as are considered in Mr. Dodd's paper have surmised that there was a displacement of weight that altered the effective adhesion at some of the wheels. It was called to the attention of the Institute 2 years ago in Mr. Parkes' paper on braking, that such a displacement occurs, and causes the tilting of the trucks when the brakes are applied. There is also a displacement of similar character due to the acceleration of the car body itself, which causes a tendency to tilt the car body backward during acceleration, and to tilt it forward during retardation. Three phenomena are presented of which only two have heretofore been recognized. Mr. Dodd has formulated the forces involved, and indicated the manner in which these forces operate, and given an analytical statement of their action and reaction upon each other.