DETERMINATION OF TRACK TENSION FROM MEASURING TRACK SAG

摘要

The shape a track makes when hanging between two (2) supports is classically called a catenary. Strictly speaking, this is a misnomer. The track shape deviates from a true catenary because of the bushings' resistance to twisting and the bushings' initial offset angle. This article derives the equation for track sag in terms of the track parameters and the distance between supports. This sag is then related to the track tension. Measuring the sag a track makes, one can easily calculate the track tension using the derived sag equation.