By Gary P. Wolf Whether you are primarily interested in the track or the vehicle side of the wheel/rail interface, the effects of “truck warp” should be of interest to you. This two-part article examines the impact of warp in the overall operating environment. Part 1 examines what truck warp …
By Matthew Dick, Gary Wolf and Jack Chislett • October, 2008 Reducing fuel costs and consumption are at the top of every railroad’s agenda. The drive to reduce fuel-related costs has launched an array of proposed techniques, modifications and new practices. Rail Sciences, Inc., simulated a number of potential fuel-saving options …
By Gary P. Wolf • July, 2007 Much has been written and said about the need to optimize the interface between the wheel and rail, but with the growth of heavy axle load traffic, the mandate for optimum performance is greater than ever. Balancing the wheel/rail equation and optimizing interaction can …
By Gary Wolf • January, 2007 The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has promulgated a new Rule 46 in the Field Manual of the AAR Interchange Rules. This new rule represents a comprehensive effort to codify under one umbrella many of the formerly fragmented rules dealing with truck wear limits, maintenance …
By Gary Wolf • January, 2006 Railroad engineering managers have been struggling with the problem of how much elevation to place in a curve since the first steam engines started turning a wheel. While the physics and calculus of the matter seem straightforward, the application of those formulas is where problems …
by Gary Wolf • October 2005 Like many aspects of the three-piece truck, performance issues surrounding the truck bolster bowl and body centerplate are often misunderstood. One of the biggest misunderstandings is that the bolster bowl is actually a bearing. Years ago at a meeting where truck performances issues were …
By Gary Wolf • May 04, 2005 Part 1 of this two-part article explored the importance of roller style side bearings in maintaining proper vehicle performance and how improper maintenance of side bearings can directly affect wheel/rail forces. Part 2 examines the purpose, types of designs and maintenance of the …
By Gary Wolf • March 10, 2005 With the approach of spring, a trackman’s thoughts turn to the potential for sun kinks. Some call them thermal misalignments, some call them track buckles, some call them sun kinks. But no matter what you call them, their effects can be characterized in …
By Gary Wolf • April 04, 2005 Side Bearings serve as support elements on the truck bolster and are located to the side of the centerplate. The function of the side bearing is to support the underside of the car body bolster in the event the car leans to one side …
By Gary Wolf • February 1, 2005 It’s said that “it takes two to tango,” but it takes three critical elements to induce harmonic rock and roll: • An operating speed between approximately 12 and 24 mph. • A vehicle conducive to rocking due to its mass and spring characteristics. • …