CAST WHEELS FOR OPERATION IN THE UK

English, Welsh, and Scottish Railway (EWS) has for some time been investigating cast wagon wheels, and recently broadened this study to include a locomotive wheel. Initially, a wheel of 1016mm (40") diameter was considered, but rejected for two reasons. Then parabolic deep dish wheels of 1067mm (42") diameter, made by Griffin in the USA, were selected. The performance of these wheels was compared with the performace of existing class 59/2 wheels, and information was acquired on failure rates, manufacturing processes, and operational environment. An independent consultant addressed metallurgical and nondestructive testing aspects. This paper discusses the following aspects of this work: (1) thermal input; (2) assumed gradients for the railway track over which the wheels are to run; (3) interface issues; (4) steel properties; (5) wheel manufacture; (6) failure statistics; (7) finite element modelling; (8) dynamometer testing; (9) induction coil heating and sawcut testing; and (10) EWS testing and monitoring. The new wheels have good geometry with low stress levels. The USA has comparable power inputs to the UK on wheels of the same generic type. The wheels have good material properties, with fracture toughness close to AAR Class B (wrought) and R82 better than for pre-BS5892 wheel steels. For the covering abstract see IRRD E104477.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1860582427
• Corporate Authors:

  PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING PUBLICATIONS LTD

  NORTHGATE AVENUE
  BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK  United Kingdom  IP32 6BW
• Authors:
  • ROSE, K(CHA)
  • BRIDGES, D
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 65-70
• Serial:
  • SEMINAR PUBLICATION 1999-12
  • Publisher: PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING PUBLICATIONS LTD
  • ISSN: 1357-9193

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carriers; Cast iron; Conferences; Design; Durability; Failure; Freight transportation; Manufactures; Metals; Nondestructive tests; Railroad trains; Railroad transportation; Research projects; Test procedures; Vehicles; Wheels
• ITRD Terms: 4533: Cast iron; 8525: Conference; 9011: Design (overall design); 5910: Durability; 5520: Failure; 741: Goods traffic; 3647: Manufacture; 4543: Metal; 6216: Non destructive testing; 1173: Rail bound transport; 8557: Research project; 6288: Test method; 1268: Train; 274: Transport operator; 1255: Vehicle; 1372: Wheel
• Subject Areas: Design; Freight Transportation; Railroads; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00790309
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 1-86058-242-7
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 11 2000 12:00AM