Eli5: Why train wheels don’t slip on the rails, when both the wheels and the rails are made of metal?

Question

Eli5: Why train wheels don’t slip on the rails, when both the wheels and the rails are made of metal?

In: 15

Answer 1

Modern locomotives have systems to detect slip and immediately reduce power to the wheelset that is slipping. Slipping is very hard on the wheels and the rail. Search YouTube for train slipping and you’ll find plenty of videos.