The collective term for a railroad's motive power, encompassing the locomotives and multiple-unit cars that pull the trains. In a historical context, it specifically refers to electric railway systems, such as interurbans and streetcars. In physics and train handling, it means the friction generated between the locomotive's steel driving wheels and the steel railhead, which is necessary to pull heavy tonnage without slipping.
Heard on the job
The dispatcher needs to know if we have enough traction to drag that coal train over the ruling grade.
Also heard as
- motive power