Talpac and Trolley Assist

• Generally you are given (by the manufacturer) the standard diesel rimpull curve
(shown below in blue italics) and a rimpull curve for that truck operating a specific
trolley line voltage - @ 1600v in the table below on a specific ramp grade (shown in
black below)

• The retard curve does not change. This is shown on the bottom table

• For TALPAC you need to have the “combined” retard curve - which is shown in the
third set of columns below. The first points in the combined curve come from the
diesel, then use the trolley points from the point where the trolley tractive effort is
available. i.e. in the example table below the diesel is from points 1 to 12, and then
trolley from there on. Note that when you start on the trolley you start at the first
trolley point.

• The table below shows the total number of points.

• The change over point, from diesel to electric, can be awkward to smooth out,
sometimes it is best to do it iteratively by viewing the rimpull curve in TALPAC,
change a point, re-view curve etc. A bit of common sense is useful here.

• It is also worth then doing a few runs in TALPAC and checking that the correct
speed and available rimpull is being used.

• You will need separate tables for other combinations of trolley line voltage and
grade. Thus running at a line voltage of 1200v will result in different characteristics.

ALSO;
• Derate the payload capacity of the trolley truck to allow for the carrying of the
Pantograph assembly. This is usually in the order of 12-16 tonnes. This figure is
difficult to find out at times.

• Regarding costs. Is a toughy as it is hard to spit out electrical charges as distinct

from diesel charges. Last time I did an estimate from first princples with assumed
cycle times etc. In theory lube /oil and electrical maintenance should also change (just
to add confusion)etc. depending upon the proportion of the route which is spent
running on diesel, and that where it is running on the trolley

• I would suggest doing a series (incremental) runs of TALPAC for various distances -
in the results table get TALPAC to tell you the time spent in each segment. You will
have to know yourself which segments are engaging the trolley assist, and which are
under diesel. Putting the power developed in each segement will assist in this
identification, as will using appropriate names for the segments. From this you can
derive a total fuel / power cost per operating hour (via a family of curves) - which can
then be inputted back into TALPAC in the equipment cost template.