A WHEEL PROFILE: FOR BETTER RIDING AND LONGER WHEEL LIFE

Riding qualities can be improved and wheel life can be extended by making rather modest modifications to conventional profiles. The present AAR profile has one major shortcoming in common with the conventional British profile, and one additional problem that is unique to railroading in North America. The common problem is that there are two points of contact between the wheel and the rail when flange guiding is required. The uniquely American problem is associated with the inward cant at a 1:40 angle whereas the angle of the tread face is 1:20. Because of the angle between the rail and the tread face, there is rapid tread wear immediately after wheels are turned and an attendant loss in lateral riding qualities. The proposed profile uses a basic taper of 1:40. A flange throat contour which at all points has a slightly larger radius than the head of the rail, and a short section of flange face at a 70-degree angle. The region of the tread face which gets the least use is relieved at a 1:10 tamper. Using a modified flange throat contour will improve the steering action of a wheel set lateral movement of the wheel will be opposed by a smoothly increasing lateral restraining force and on a curve the rolling radius of the outside wheel can increase much more than is possible with a conventional wheel set.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07362064
• Corporate Authors:

  Watson Publications

  5 South Wabash Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60603
• Authors:
  • List, H A
• Publication Date: 1970-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 61-62
• Serial:
  • Modern Railroads
  • Publisher: K-III Press, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0736-2064

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dynamics; Hunting (Dynamics); Railroad rails; Ride quality; Technology; Tires; Train track dynamics; Trucks; Vehicle design; Vehicle dynamics; Wear; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral dynamics
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Tire profile; Wheel design
• Subject Areas: Design; Motor Carriers; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037667
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 6 1976 12:00AM