RETARDER NOISE

Retarders are mechanical devices used in classification yards to reduce the speed of a car leaving the "hump" to that required to allow it to just reach its particular destination in the yard. The action of the retarder itself generates noise and also causes the car wheels to generate noise. It is with the latter problem that this paper is concerned. Certain assumptions relative to the mechanics of the noise generated were made and tested. Based on the information obtained, ramp control (original with the Canadian National) was introduced to average the retarder pressure throughout the retarder transit period. Controlled lubrication of the noise generating surfaces was later added to the ramp control feature. The combination created a significant reduction in the percentage of wheels that squealed and the level of the noise which this number generated.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was contributed by the Rail Transportation Division of the ASME for presentation at the Winter Annual Meeting, 17-22 November 1974, New York, New York.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Cass, R
  • Berthiaume, P P
  • Kalita, R E
  • Lamont, J G
• Publication Date: 1974-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic emission tests; Design; Hump yards; Noise; Railroad yards; Retarder control; Sound attenuation
• Identifier Terms: Canadian National; Canadian National Railways
• Old TRIS Terms: Noise in retarder yards; Retarder noise; Yard design
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00072711
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: NO. 74-WA/RJ-7
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 16 1975 12:00AM