Dynamometer car
A dynamometer car is a special kind of train car that can measure how strong and fast a locomotive can pull a load. It has sensors that can detect how much force a locomotive is using and how fast it's going, like a grown-up's speedometer.
The dynamometer car has really big wheels that turn with the locomotive's wheels, and it's connected to the locomotive by a long, strong cable. When the locomotive pulls the dynamometer car forward, the sensors in the car can measure how much force it's using to pull the car.
This is important because trains need to be able to pull lots of heavy cargo, like coal or lumber, and they have to do it efficiently. The dynamometer car helps scientists and engineers figure out the best ways to make locomotives stronger and more fuel-efficient.
So, in simple terms, a dynamometer car is like a doctor that checks how strong and healthy a train is by measuring its speed and how much force it's using to pull things.
The dynamometer car has really big wheels that turn with the locomotive's wheels, and it's connected to the locomotive by a long, strong cable. When the locomotive pulls the dynamometer car forward, the sensors in the car can measure how much force it's using to pull the car.
This is important because trains need to be able to pull lots of heavy cargo, like coal or lumber, and they have to do it efficiently. The dynamometer car helps scientists and engineers figure out the best ways to make locomotives stronger and more fuel-efficient.
So, in simple terms, a dynamometer car is like a doctor that checks how strong and healthy a train is by measuring its speed and how much force it's using to pull things.