SELECTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROAD-RAIL ATTACHMENTS
USE OF RAIL GUIDE WHEEL ATTACHMENTS ARE DESCRIBED. EMPHASIS IS NOT GIVEN TO THE VARIOUS TYPES OR SIZES OFFERED AS STANDARD MODELS BECAUSE OF THE VARIETY OF OPINIONS, BUT SPEED, LOAD, LOAD DISTRIBUTION, VEHICLE WEIGHT, AND VEHICLE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION ARE DISCUSSED. SELECTING THE PROPER AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT WITH WHICH THE ROAD-RAIL ATTACHMENT IS TO BE USED IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR MINIMUM MAINTENANCE. THE STRONGER THE ROAD-RAIL ATTACHMENT IS CONSTRUCTED, THE LESSER IT WILL SUFFER DAMAGE IF A DERAILMENT OR ROAD ACCIDENT OCCURS. EXCESSIVE SPEED OF OPERATION REPRESENTS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR THE HIGH MAINTENANCE COST OF NATIONALLY MARKETED GUIDE WHEEL ATTACHMENTS ON HIGHWAY VEHICLES. RAILROADS RIGIDLY ENFORCE RULES CONCERNING SPEED OF HIGHWAY-RAIL UNITS OPERATING ON TRACK. SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH ARE CONSIDERED A MAXIMUM FOR UNITS NOW IN SERVICE ON MOST RAILROADS. IMPROPER DISTRIBUTION OF WEIGHT IS THE SECOND SIN IN USING ROAD-RAIL ATTACHMENTS. EXCESSIVE SPEED AND WEIGHT PROBLEMS ARE THE PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR FAILURE TO GET MAXIMUM SAFETY AND ECONOMICAL USAGE OUT OF THE ROAD-RAIL ATTACHMENTS. MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS ARE VERY LOW WHEN GUIDE WHEEL ATTACHMENTS ARE APPLIED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THEY DO NOT PROTRUDE IN THE FRONT OR REAR OF THE BASE VEHICLE. INSPECTION OF HIGHWAY-RAILWAY UNITS VARIES CONSIDERABLY BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS TO CHECK DAILY THE AIR PRESSURE OF AUTOMOTIVE TIRES AND GIVE THE GUIDE WHEEL ATTACHMENT A GENERAL VISUAL INSPECTION TO INSURE THAT IT IS OPERATIONAL.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Vol 70, No 617, PP 585-586
- Publication Date: 1968-12
Media Info
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Inspection; Maintenance management; Motor vehicles; Operating speed; Railroad transportation; Weight; Wheels
- Uncontrolled Terms: Accessories; Guidance; Maintenance costs
- Old TRIS Terms: Rail guides
- Subject Areas: Highways; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00219342
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Apr 21 1994 12:00AM