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 …
Corina Moore, a transformative leader in the railway industry, successfully revitalized Ontario Northland by fostering a culture of change, diversity, and continuous improvement. Moore emphasized the importance of employees’ voices and collaboration across generations to drive innovation. Her leadership approach has enhanced organizational performance and sustainability within the sector.
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.
Jonathan Sunde from Strato, Inc. emphasized at the Wheel Rail Seminars that wheel/rail dynamics are critically influenced by car and coupler designs. As curves become sharper, swingout distances increase, affecting clearance and coupling performance. The AAR standards guide design choices to minimize risks of buff and draft failures, ensuring safe operations in diverse freight conditions.
Cory Hogan, Director of Vehicle Dynamics at Ensco Rail, highlights the use of digital twins in predicting rail system issues before they occur. Ensco employs advanced simulations and data collection to model vehicle dynamics, enhance safety, and streamline railroad operations, aiming to develop increasingly sophisticated and accurate digital twins for rail networks.
Transverse defects (TDs) pose significant challenges for freight railroads, causing 31% of broken rails. CSX has enhanced its rail grinding program since 2016, reducing non-testable locations by 98% and TD occurrences by 37%. Effective grinding mitigates the risks of TDs, improves ultrasonic detection, and balances defect removal with rail profile maintenance.
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 …
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has successfully implemented a rail grinding program to address surface defects like corrugation and rolling contact fatigue. Operating 390 km of track, DMRC’s corrective and preventive measures have improved rail conditions significantly since 2009, leading to reduced wear rates and enhanced wheel/rail dynamics.
The article discusses advancements in wheel condition monitoring technologies, particularly by Mermec and MxV Rail. Various methods, including optical and strain gauge systems, gather data on dynamic forces and out-of-roundness. Enhanced systems promise improved predictions of hunting behavior and overall wheel integrity, increasingly complementing traditional inspection techniques in railways.
The article discusses the significance of wheel/rail interaction in railroading, emphasizing the importance of both wheels and tracks. Advances in monitoring technologies, such as continuous wheel condition monitoring and load detectors, enhance safety and maintenance. It highlights challenges and improvements in measuring forces effectively, contributing to efficient railroad operations.