HEAVY-HAUL TRACKS MAY ACCEPT 35 TONNE AXLELOADS

At a time when the continued acceptance of 30 tonne axleloads is being seriously questioned in North America, it may seem surprising that unit train operators in Australia are considering a move upwards from 30 tonnes, possibly to 35 tonnes. The confidence of such experienced heavy-haul operators as Hamersley Iron and Mt Newman Mining in their ability to raise axleloads without facing technical disaster stems from the results of an on-going research programme being conducted by the Melbourne Research Laboratories of BHP. It is already clear that correct matching of wheel and rail profiles is critical, while manufacturing and tolerances of track components and consistent maintenance of track geometry are also important.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03735346
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Transport Press, Limited

  Dorset House, Stamford Street
  London SE1 9LU,   England 
• Authors:
  • MAIR, R I
  • MARICH, S
• Publication Date: 1981-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 637-641
• Serial:
  • Railway Gazette International
  • Volume: 137
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: DVV Media Group
  • ISSN: 0373-5346
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwaygazette.com/about-us.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Corrugations (Defects); Defects; Deterioration; Force; Rail steel; Railhead; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Railroad wheels; Structural design; Unit trains; Wear; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rail corrugation; Track geometry; Wheel profiles
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Old TRIS Terms: Heavy haul railways; High axle loads; Rail head profile; Rail steel metallurgy; Track deterioration; Transverse defects
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00341702
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM