Stock 'drag' - why that term?

[Deepgreen]

Can anyone explain to me why the term 'drag' has entered use to denote a train which is being hauled or pulled in the same way as any other loco-hauled working? To me the term 'drag' suggests a greater degree of resistance than 'hauled' or 'pulled', suggesting, for example, locked brakes or some other extra issue.

 

[themiller]

Hauled instead of being self powered?

 

[Snow1964]

Not sure why it has become a general term.

It was originally used where a diesel locomotive hauled an electric train on a non-electrified diversion, or section with power isolated. Derived from literally dragged it along non powered section, (not skated along, wheels with motors were turned, so turning the dead motors too)

 

[RJ]

Can anyone explain to me why the term 'drag' has entered use to denote a train which is being hauled or pulled in the same way as any other loco-hauled working? To me the term 'drag' suggests a greater degree of resistance than 'hauled' or 'pulled', suggesting, for example, locked brakes or some other extra issue.

I'd have thought the context is that the train being hauled normally has its own motive power, as opposed to just carriages or wagons being hauled.

 

[Freightmaster]

I'd have thought the context is that the train being hauled normally has its own motive power, as opposed to just carriages or wagons being hauled.

This.



MARK

 

[Deepgreen]

I'd have thought the context is that the train being hauled normally has its own motive power, as opposed to just carriages or wagons being hauled.

No, just as a set of coaches or wagons being hauled by a loco doesn't have its own power, and the same is the case for a unit or another loco being hauled - they are all just dead, unpowered weight behind a loco, even if they are equipped with motors, etc. 'Drag' implies a greater resistance than a free-running load behind the loco, whether it be coaches, wagons or a unit - as in, for example, dragging brakes causing an artificial 'load'.

Hauled instead of being self powered?

There you have it - you say "hauled", which is what it is, rather than 'dragged' (i.e. 'kicking and screaming').

 

[AM9]

No, just as a set of coaches or wagons being hauled by a loco doesn't have its own power, and the same is the case for a unit or another loco being hauled - they are all just dead, unpowered weight behind a loco, even if they are equipped with motors, etc. 'Drag' implies a greater resistance than a free-running load behind the loco, whether it be coaches, wagons or a unit - as in, for example, dragging brakes causing an artificial 'load'.


There you have it - you say "hauled", which is what it is, rather than 'dragged' (i.e. 'kicking and screaming').

I think that 'dragged' isaquite good term to differentiate between:

'hauling' stock that comprises trailers (e.g. goods wagons of passenger coaches), and​

'dragging' stock that has its own traction system but is unable to use it for some reason or other. That would also include dragging one or more light locos and MUs where some or all the motors have been removed/disconnected.​

 

[MotCO]

Not sure why it has become a general term.

It was originally used where a diesel locomotive hauled an electric train on a non-electrified diversion, or section with power isolated. Derived from literally dragged it along non powered section, (not skated along, wheels with motors were turned, so turning the dead motors too)

I can see the extra effort in pulling a train which has a non-operating motor could be quite a drag - a bit like trying to push a car in gear.

 

[AM9]

I can see the extra effort in pulling a train which has a non-operating motor could be quite a drag - a bit like trying to push a car in gear.

If the motor terminals are open circuit, there isn't much resistance to it turning, apart from the final drive inefficiency and a small magnetic load. A car with the gears engaged has a considerable load from the compression in each cylinder as the crankshaft is rotated.

 

[RJ]

No, just as a set of coaches or wagons being hauled by a loco doesn't have its own power, and the same is the case for a unit or another loco being hauled - they are all just dead, unpowered weight behind a loco, even if they are equipped with motors, etc. 'Drag' implies a greater resistance than a free-running load behind the loco, whether it be coaches, wagons or a unit - as in, for example, dragging brakes causing an artificial 'load'.


There you have it - you say "hauled", which is what it is, rather than 'dragged' (i.e. 'kicking and screaming').

A drag is something different in this railway context which is used to describe a consist which contains a train that can normally haul itself.

The word drag is a homonym with various definitions and uses as a noun, verb or adjective, this use is just one of many.