by Jeff Tuzik (This article was previously published in the December 2025 issue of Mass Transit) One of the most vexing, and increasingly common rail defects that rail transit agencies contend with is the squat-type defect (stud). Addressing studs has been challenging in that they are not fully understood, and, …
By Jeff Tuzik The unforgiving environment of the wheel/rail interface creates many damage mechanisms. These manifest in defects as varied as corrugations, rolling contact fatigue, and gage-corner cracking, to name only a few. Among the most vexing defects that commuter, transit and high-speed rail lines contend with are squat-type defects …
by Jeff Tuzik One of the most vexing, and increasingly common rail defects that rail transit agencies contend with is the squat-type defect (stud). Addressing studs has been challenging in that they are not fully understood, and, while contributing factors are known, the exact root cause(s) are not definitive. “Identifying …