NEB&W Guide to Dynamometer CarsThis file is open to website members only
Last Update: 2008-01-04
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A dynamometer car measures the drawbar forces (i.e., tractive effort) of a locomotive, and so in use were coupled right behind the loco. Sometimes a regular consist, such as a freight or passenger train, were coupled behind.
"Dynamometer" literally means a meter or measure of the dynamic forces, in this case, drawbar forces. The "dyna", as indicated, is related to "dynamic", but also dynamo (another name for an electric generator), dynamite and thermodynamics. (Scientists use a "dyne" as unit of force.) A dynamometer measures tractive effort