By Jeff Tuzik Wheel Rail Seminars named Christopher Barkan, Professor of Railway Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) as the recipient of the 2026 Worth Award. Professor Barkan also serves as the George Krambles Director of the UIUC Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) and Director and of …
by Jeff Tuzik The L/V ratio is a ubiquitous measurement in the world of wheel/rail interaction. It is typically combined with the Nadal limit, functioning as shorthand for wheel climb derailment risk for a given set of conditions. But the L/V ratio and the various formulae used to set risk …
by Jeff Tuzik What do 30 years of advances in wheel/rail interaction look like? Thirty years ago, the field of wheel/rail and vehicle/track interaction was largely unknown outside a coterie of specialists and researchers. Railroads operated within confined departmental siloes with vehicles on one side of the ledger, track on …
by Jeff Tuzik As Wheel Rail Seminars prepares to host it’s 30th annual Wheel/Rail Interaction Conference in Kansas City, it’s worthwhile to look back on how the “narrow” field of wheel/rail interaction has broadened and matured over the decades. The field of wheel/rail interaction is highly targeted; focusing on the …
Fabian Hansmann, Head of Marketing at Plasser & Theurer, discussed the challenges of maintaining track geometry amidst limited resources. He emphasized balancing speed, performance, and quality in maintenance practices. Proper ballast management is vital, as defects can accelerate deterioration. Effective tamping techniques significantly influence track stability, underscoring the importance of optimal maintenance strategies.
by Jeff Tuzik The Great Dismal Swamp. An ominous name. And in June of 2019, it was the site of a Norfolk Southern derailment. At NS, all derailments are investigated to determine the cause(s) and to provide data that could help prevent future incidents. Brad Kerchof, formerly Director of Research …
In 2022, Wiener Linien faced severe wheel wear issues on line U6 after a rail renewal project. The complex problem stemmed from poor wheel/rail dynamics, necessitating collaborative efforts for analysis and remediation. New wheel and rail profiles, designed to optimize contact conditions, are expected to significantly reduce wear and damage.
George Fowler, a veteran investigator, analyzed the 2016 Grey derailment involving a Canadian National train, highlighting that derailments often stem from combined vehicle and track factors. His investigation revealed issues like track geometry, maintenance, and vehicle dynamics, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluations to prevent such incidents in the future.
Friction management is a crucial aspect of rail transit, improving wheel/rail interactions by reducing wear, noise, and safety risks. Effective implementation involves tailored strategies based on specific issues. Successful transit agencies employ proper asset management, ensuring consistent results and a strong return on investment through maintenance and optimized practices.
by Jeff Tuzik Stuart Grassie, Principal, Rail Measurement Ltd and Stuart Grassie Engineering Ltd, is the recipient of the 2024 Worth Award. The award, presented by Wheel Rail Seminars at the annual Wheel/Rail Interaction conference in May, is named for Art Worth, who was Manager of Standards and retired as …