Dynamometer For Use With Rail Equipment, And Systems And Methods Of Using Same

A dynamometer for use with rail equipment having two pairs of drive wheels, the dynamometer comprising:

• first and second wheel engagement assemblies, each comprising:
• a frame;
• a first pair of dynamometer wheels that are spaced relative to a first horizontal dimension and rotatably supported on the frame about a first rotational axis that extends parallel to the first horizontal dimension;
• a second pair of dynamometer wheels that are spaced relative to the first horizontal dimension and rotatably supported on the frame about a second rotational axis that is parallel to the first horizontal axis and offset from the first horizontal axis relative to a second horizontal dimension that is perpendicular to the first horizontal dimension, wherein the first pair of dynamometer wheels and second pair of dynamometer wheels cooperate to define opposing wheel engagement receptacles;
• a hydraulic motor coupled to the first pair of dynamometer wheels, wherein the hydraulic motor is configured to receive a power and an associated torque from a respective pair of the drive wheels of the rail equipment,
• wherein the first and second wheel engagement assemblies are configured to move relative to each other along the second dimension.