Abstract

Generic linear models were developed of a freight car (with a characteristic North American three-piece truck) on tangent track. The models were developed using the generalized multi-body dynamics software MEDYNA. Predictions were made of the theoretical linear model hunting (lateral stability) characteristics of the freight car, i.e., the critical speeds and frequencies, for five different configurations: (a) freight car on track, (b) the freight car’s front truck on the roller stand and its rear truck on track, (c) freight car on the roller rig, (d) a single truck on track and (e) single truck on the roller stand. These were compared with the Association of American Railroads’ field test data for an 80-ton hopper car equipped with A-3 ride control trucks. Agreement was reached among all the analytical models, with all models indicating a range of hunting speeds of 2% from the highest to lowest. The largest discrepancy, approximately 8%, was indicated between the models and the field test data.

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