Abstract
Adverse wheel-rail contact geometry and flange lubrication have been implicated in a number of recent gage widening and rail rollover derailments. The underlying derailment mechanism is shown to be a loss of wheel set steering due to a reduction in wheel set rolling radius difference, leading to shear deformation of the truck and the generation of large lateral gage spreading forces. A series of theoretical analyses and field experiments have been conducted that demonstrate the loss of steering caused by the following wheel-rail contact conditions: 1.1. strong two-point contact between flanging wheels and rails;2.2. hollow wom wheel treads;3.3. heavy gage corner grinding on the rail;4.4. high rail gage face lubrication;5.5. dry railheads.Studies conducted at several gage widening and rail rollover derailment sites have shown that these conditions are not uncommon on North American railroads.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.