INVESTIGATION OF BOXCAR VIBRATIONS

The vibration environment within a 50 foot-70 ton boxcar and its running gear was measured by accelerometers and recorded on magnetic tape. The program included evaluations of load, speed, track irregularities, flat wheels, friction damping, variable rate springs, spring travel, and truck design, on the vibration environment within the car body. It was concluded that an increase in load and spring travel reduced the vibration levels in the car body. All new truck designs tested produced reductions in the car body vibration levels. Friction damping levels presently used in freight car trucks were found to be nearly optimum. Flat wheels produced a tremendous increase in truck vibrations and a smaller increase in car body vibrations.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • LUEBKE, R W
• Publication Date: 1970-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 175 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Box cars; Damping (Physics); Defects; Freight cars; Motor vehicles; Railroad cars; Railroad tracks; Spring; Suspensions; Technology; Trucks; Vehicle design; Vehicle dynamics; Velocity; Vibration; Wheels
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Car vibration; Flat wheels; Track irregularities; Vehicle vibration
• Subject Areas: Design; Motor Carriers; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039417
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FRA-RT-70-26 Test Rpt
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 5 1973 12:00AM