Bank engine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bank engine (United Kingdom/Australia) or helper engine (North America) is a railway locomotive that is temporarily attached to a train that requires more power or traction to climb a grade, also called a bank. Bankers or helpers were also used to protect against wagons or coaches breaking away, in which case they might run in front of a train going downhill. Once the train had cleared the grade the banker or helper would be removed. In the United States the portion of a route on which helpers where required was called a "helper district".
The town of Helper, Utah was named after them, as it was where helper engines were kept to assist on the climb to Soldier Summit.
In many countries, helpers/bankers were no longer required with the introduction of advanced braking systems and diesel and electric locomotives. Electric locomotives are particularly suited to climbing grades because of their power and regenerative braking capabilities.
Contents |
[edit] Examples
[edit] Australia
[edit] United Kingdom
- Lickey Incline
- Peak Forest, Derbyshire - Steam then diesel until late 1980s
- Worsbrough Bank, South Yorkshire - Steam then Electric until 1981
- Ilfracombe branch line (1-in-36) - Steam until 1964
Whiteball Bank, Somerset
[edit] New Zealand
- Reefton saddle on the Stillwater - Westport Line
- Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company between Wellington and Paekakariki
