Operation of 3,000-Volt Locomotives On the Cleveland Union Terminals Electrification

The operation of the 3,000-volt direct-current passenger locomotives on the Cleveland Union Terminals electrification has been studied after an initial period of service of more than two years. Twenty-two locomotives weighing 210 tons each are in service, normally handling passenger trains weighing 1,275 tons trailing over grades as high as 1.56 per cent. During the two years over 1,000,000 miles of operation have been recorded, divided between about 410,000 miles per year for passenger service and 90,000 miles for switching. These figures indicate that the average performance in switching service is about two miles per hour, whereas the customary method of accounting credits switching locomotives with six miles per hour. An analysis of the average time used for inspection and repairs shows an availability of 92 per cent. For the same period the utilization factor of 54 per cent is observed. The utilization factor will doubtless be improved with a resumption of normal traffic. Data is given on energy consumption, both in road and in switching service, and curves are plotted showing the variation in energy consumption with different train weights. The all-day average in coach-yard switching is found to be about 85 kwhr per hour per locomotive, including auxiliaries, or a net average of about 55 kwhr per hour. Interesting records of brush wear, data on replacement of hub liners, wear on pantograph strips and condition of commutator and motor bearings are produced.