Thread: The Vent and Rant Thread
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Old 10-28-2008, 12:28 PM   #938
radioflyertoo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant View Post
The flat wheels are easy to explain actually. The leaves reduce friction between the track and the wheels. So when the brakes go on, the wheels are quickly stopped by the brakes, but the train isn't, so it slides along the track. It's this sliding of wheel against track that causes flat points.

It's the same in the UK - they used to cut down any trees growing alongside railway lines. No trees long the sides of the railway -> not many leaves on the railway lines. Not any more....
So the leaf wears away and the locked wheel will not return to turning as it would be if the leaf was not there. Hence the flat spot. Friction is an interesting concept. It's amazing the trouble or fun differenting coeffcient's of friction can cause.
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