EVALUATION OF TRACTION MOTOR GEAR CASE BOLTS

Illinois Central Gulf Train No. 753 was involved in a derailment on January 16, 1976, due to a cracked gear case bolt. This bolt was one of 14 to have failed during 1975-1976. The ICG requested a higher grade bolt from the manufacturer and then asked the Technical Center to evaluate the two bolts. Tests of the two bolts show the old bolts to be made of plain carbon 1040 grade steel, and the new bolts to be a Cr-Mo 4140 grade steel. The new bolts exhibit superior strength and fracture toughness to the extent that the 4140 grade bolt should not fracture in a brittle mode above -10F. Therefore, it would appear that bolts made from the grade 4140 steel are suitable for this application.

• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads Research Center

  3140 South Federal Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616
• Authors:
  • Stone, D H
• Publication Date: 1976-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 17 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alloy steel; Bolts; Derailments; Failure; Fracture mechanics; Fracture properties; Gears; Low temperature; Metallurgy; Motors; Traction; Traction drives
• Identifier Terms: Illinois Central Gulf Railroad
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00147716
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: R-233 Res. Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM