CAR ROLL AND WHEEL LIFT, PROBLEM SOLVING APPROACHES

The author discusses the problem of derailment and larger hopper cars as a two step process, (1) problem definition and (2) the selection of possible solutions or alternatives. It is pointed out that not all 100-ton cars derail. Only a relative few derail and, those which do, derail at more or less predictable locations. In the rail-versus-car controversy, it is obviously not very reasonable to spend the money to overhaul every mile of railroad track, nor is it any more reasonable to condemn the 100-ton car since it is one of the major factors contributing to increased railroad business. One possible solution might be to correct the very bad areas of track where the rail joint conditions produce severe dip, and the track arrangement is such that roll is reinforced; then do enough to the car itself to make it tolerate the remaining track. A few solutions on which there has been some work during the last year or two include improvement of the track and roadbed, and control of operation of the train so that susceptible cars don't move over troublesome curves at the critical speed or under certain conditions of draft or buff. Most derailments occur with newer cars, and when substantial milage is accumulated so all contact surfaces are worked in and maximum freedom of movement is attained there is a distinctly lessened tendency toward derailment. However, work on hopper car derailments has not produced a generalized solution which is widely adopted.

• Corporate Authors:

  Symington Wayne Corporation

  2 Main Street
  Depew, NY  United States 
• Authors:
  • Reed, Gregory
• Publication Date: 1965-9-23

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 32-38
• Serial:
  • Engineering Interchange for Railroad Advancement

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Derailments; Equipment replacement; Freight cars; Hopper cars; Maintenance of way; Rail joints; Railroad cars; Railroad rails; Speed control; Technology; Velocity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Replacement
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Velocity control; Wheel lift
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037719
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Tech Proc
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM