In order to control the calculated coefficient of adhesion of the locomotive bandages with the rail, a controlled starting of the career locomotive is suggested, in which the relative traction coefficient varies over the time according to the exponential dependence. To realize a rational starting process the tractive effort during the ¼ of the starting period should be ¾ of the maximum which is recommended by the traction conditions for a given section of the track, and for the remaining time, i.e. in the interval of the subsequent three-fourths of the starting time, the tractive effort must be smoothly brought to the required level, acceleration during the same period must also be changed (decreased) and at the end of the starting process, when the train reaches the working speed at this track section, it must be made equal to zero. It is proposed a relationship for determining of the starting time of the locomotive, depending on the initial parameters and actual operating conditions, which makes it possible to develop technical requirements for the automatic launch system of a open pit locomotive, which ensure the implementation of the maximum possible values of adhesion coefficients closed to optimal after the starting process.