A switched reluctance traction system is provided for work machines. The switched reluctance traction system may include a plurality of switched reluctance motors. Each switched reluctance motor may include a stator with a plurality of stator poles and a rotor with a plurality of rotor poles. The switched reluctance traction system may also include one or more coupling elements to couple together the plurality of switched reluctance motors such that each of the plurality of motors is capable of driving the switched reluctance traction system independently.