Studying the Effect of Friction Activation on the Traction Properties of Locomotive Wheels

A comparative operational testing of the traction-power and controlled operation at the testing ground of JSC Russian Railways was conducted for a 3ES5K series locomotive manufactured in 2021, equipped with axle-by-axle traction control and motor-axial rolling bearings with a locomotive friction activation unit, as well as for a 3ES5K series locomotive with axle-by-axle traction control, without any locomotive friction activation unit (equipped with a standard sand feed). The obtained experimental data are analyzed and systematized, the traction-griping properties of the experimental electric locomotive equipped with a locomotive friction activation unit and the reference electric locomotive without such a unit are compared. Conclusions have been drawn concerning the efficiency of the locomotive friction activation unit under freight traffic conditions in the course of operation at the testing ground at the head of a 7100-е freight train on a section of JSC Russian Railways (even direction).