Quote:
Originally Posted by StoneRoad
IIRC some classes of diesel have an automatic detection / control for wheelslip! (takes the fun out of coping with wet leaves on the rail....)
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Most modern Muliple Units have WSP - wheel slip/slide protection (Slip is when you apply power, slide is when you brake).
WSP is considered necessary nowadays because if Loss of Adhesion is occuring elsewhere than on the leading bogie where you're sat, you may be unaware of it and thus can damage the traction motors/wheels/railhead.
Even if you do feel a slip or slide, damage can sometimes occur quicker than you can shut off power or release the brake. Sometimes in the Leaf Fall you can be braking nicely and then suddenly the speedo dips massively as the leading wheels start to slide. Blowdown valves quickly release the air from the brake cylinders on the affected bogies, but even so the wheels sometimes start clattering away like 50p pieces ! It seems incredible that their profiles can be altered by just a few second's slide, but then I suppose there's an enormous amount of kinetic energy at work.
Banging wheels are very irritating when you're stuck on that unit all day and it feels like your fillings are shaking out - Just one of the many 'joys' of Autumn driving.
FP